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Wheaton, Illinois: Tolkien's Desk: An Unexpected Location

The desk on which J.R.R. Tolkien wrote all of "The Hobbit" and much of "The Lord of the Rings" is here, as is the wardrobe that probably inspired C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

Address:
351 E. Lincoln Ave., Wheaton, IL
Directions:
On the northwest corner of E. Lincoln and N. Washington Sts. Park just across Washington St., in the lot north of Edman Chapel.
Hours:
M-F 9-4, Sat 9-12 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
630-752-5908
Admission:
Donation
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C.S. Lewis wardrobe.

Tolkien's Desk: An Unexpected Location

In addition to Tolkien's desk, they also have a wardrobe owned by C.S. Lewis that was an inspiration for the Narnia wardrobe. There are fur coats inside, and the lady at the desk told me that if I reached in far enough I would feel the cold.

[Katy Spindler, 07/18/2016]

Tolkien's Desk.

Tolkien's Desk: An Unexpected Location

J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth is filled with unforgettable destinations that look a lot like New Zealand. When you think about the desk where he wrote these adventures, you think of Oxford University in England, where he lived and worked. Tolkien's wife, Edith, purchased the desk in 1927. In 1972 he donated the desk, on which he had authored all of "The Hobbit" and much of "The Lord of the Rings," to the Help the Aged Housing Association. It was sold at auction for 340 pounds.

In 1987 a graduate of Wheaton College spotted the desk at a book fair, informed the owner that the Marion E. Wade Center of Wheaton College might be interested in purchasing it, and soon thereafter the desk made its unexpected journey from England to Illinois.

There are other interesting literary artifacts on display at the Wade Center, such as Tolkien's pen and the wooden wardrobe that probably inspired C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

[John Takao Collier, 01/08/2014]

Photo used by permission of The Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL.

C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien Stuff

The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College contains a wealth of information on seven British authors - Owen Barfield, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams. Highlights of the Center include the wardrobe that was the inspiration for C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" and the writing desk used by J.R.R. Tolkien when penning "The Hobbit" and portions of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

[Joseph D. Kubal, 07/04/2011]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Perry Mastodon ExhibitPerry Mastodon Exhibit, Wheaton, IL - < 1 mi.
Billy Graham Center MuseumBilly Graham Center Museum, Wheaton, IL - < 1 mi.
Site of World's First Radio TelescopeSite of World's First Radio Telescope, Wheaton, IL - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Famous Rocks of the Tribune Tower, Chicago, IL - 25 mi.

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