Table Talk: A Transcript of the After-Dinner Speeches at the 1976 Annual General Meeting of the Tolkien Society

Abstract

At this dinner, Priscilla Tolkien, daughter of Professor Tolkien, Mr. Humphrey Carpenter, Tolkien’s biographer. This article is a transcribing of the speeches made after the General Meeting Dinner. Mr. Stuart Clark discussed the goal of the society – to further the enjoyment of the works of Tolkien. He discussed how the society went from 8 or 9 people to over 300 worldwide. He spends the rest of the speech speaking about Priscilla Tolkien and ends off with a toast to her and her continued support of the society. Priscilla Tolkien then stood to speak, thanking all for the well wishes. She tells a story about her father, and once again thanks everyone for their hospitality. Next, Jon Simons, the Chairman of the Society, rose and spoke briefly. He introduced Jessica Kemball-Cook, the newly elected Secretary of the Society, to toast their honored guest, Humphrey Carpenter. She speaks on her experience with the Lord of the Rings, and then moves on to discuss Mr. Carpenter, the official biographer of Tolkien. He gives a speech about how honored he is to be doing this, and thanks priscilla and her brothers for their help in his work. He discusses the process of his work, what he plans to do with it, and the progress he has made. He ends with a thanks of invitation, and proposes a toast to the entire board.