Tolkien’s old-fashioned faith

He usually said his prayers in Latin, out of simple habit; his Elvish versions … were purely a linguistic exercise.

J.R.R. Tolkien, centre, with composer Donald Swann, right, and singer William Elvin.
photo: alamy/alpha historica

His biographer describes the undemonstrative and traditional Catholic belief of the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, who died 50 years ago today.

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