Rayner Unwin

Rayner Stephens Unwin (* December 23, 1925, † 23 November 2000) was an English publisher, who published, among others, the works of JRR Tolkien.

Biography

Rayner Unwin was the son of Stanley Unwin, who headed the London publisher George Allen & Unwin. After studying at Oxford and Harvard Rayner Unwin served from 1944-1947 in the Royal Navy. In 1951, he joined his father's company. The following year, he married Carol Margaret Curwen, with whom he later had three daughters and a son. After the death of his father in 1968 Rayner Unwin took over the management of the publisher. In 1977, he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of Commander of the Order of the British Empire ( CBE). In 1986 he concluded his publisher with Bell & Hyman together for new businesses Unwin Hyman. Three years later, this ran into financial difficulties and was taken against the will of Rayner Unwin by the Group Harper Collins, whereupon Unwin retired into private life.

Unwin and Tolkien

In numerous letters it is clear that between Tolkien and Unwin was not only a professional relationship, but also a close friend.

Rayner Unwin's father was of the view that children's books should be best judged by children. Therefore, he was submitted manuscripts to read to his children, who wrote short reports about it for a little pocket money. Based on this assessment, it was decided whether the corresponding book is published.

In 1936, as was the then ten -year-old Rayner Unwin of the manuscript written by JRR Tolkien Hobbit for review. He liked the book and was of the opinion that it would appeal to all children aged five to nine years. Allen & Unwin took the manuscript therefore on, Tolkien published the first non - academic book and was a great success.

As Tolkien had written a first chapter of the planned successor for the Hobbit, he asked Rayner Unwin for his opinion and was encouraged by the positive response to continue writing. Later got Rayner Unwin to read parts of the manuscript of the Lord of the Rings. When it was finally almost finished after more than ten years, Rayner Unwin advocated the publication of the book, but what it initially did not come because of discrepancies between author and publisher. After Tolkien's futile attempt to the Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion accommodate at another publisher, Rayner Unwin, Tolkien and led by the end of 1951 to new negotiations over the release of the Lord of the Rings, which were finally successful.

Also in the episode was often Rayner Unwin, the preferred contact person Tolkien at his publishing house. In the composed of Tolkien's biographer Humphrey Carpenter selection of 354 letters Tolkien 40 letters and excerpts from letters to Rayner Unwin are included.

Works

• The Rural Muse ( 1954)
• The Defeat of John Hawkins ( 1960)
• Tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien. In: Glen H. Good Knight (ed.): Mythlore. Issue 69 (Vol. 18, No. 3), p 32 (1992 )
• A Winter Away from Home (1995 )
• George Allen & Unwin: a remembrancer (1999)
• Early Days of Elder Days. In: Verlyn Flieger (ed.), Carl F. Hostetter (ed.): Tolkien 's legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle -earth. (2000)