John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE FRSL

One often hears about J.R.R. Tolkien's tour of duty in the First World War and how it impacted him, and of course all the countless ways The Lord of the Rings founded and continues to shape the Fantasy genre, and whose works continue to be published so many years after his death. Goodness knows I wax poetic about the man often enough and I mean to re-post some of my older ones simply because they are too good not to do otherwise.

Anyway, it occurred to me today that one thing people hear less of are the official honors Tolkien received for his colossal achievements. Let me correct that now. He was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE FRSL. CBE stands for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an English Order of chivalry rewarding prominent national/regional achievements across disciplines. The rank of Commander, which Tolkien held, being the highest rank short of knighthood within the Order. 

Point of order (no pun intended), I am of the unshakable opinion that had he been so honored today he would have received a full knighthood. A conclusion based on the fact that other British Fantasy authors have been so honored since, namely Sir Philip Pullman and Sir Terry Pratchett, within the Order of the British Empire. Indeed, J.K. Rowling was offered a damehood (a female knighthood) as well as a seat in the House of Lords, yet turned both down for "entirely personal reasons", stating "I’ve never wanted a title". Though she is an OBE, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which is the rank below Commander.

Meanwhile, FRSL stands for Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, which naturally recognizes an individual’s exceptional contribution to literature.

I do not pretend to understand all the intricacies regarding British titles, for Sir Terry Pratchett was never made a FRSL, yet they are interesting, for a certainty.