A Long Expected Party:
A Semicentennial Celebration of Tolkien’s Life, Works, and Afterlife

Franciscan University of Steubenville

September 22-23, 2023

The Conference

Franciscan University of Steubenville will hold an academic conference on J.R.R. Tolkien, September 22-23, 2023. The conference will focus on all aspects of Tolkien’s life and work, including his most recent posthumous publications such as The Nature of Middle Earth, The Fall of Númenor, and The Great Tales Never End. 

“The 50th anniversary of Professor Tolkien’s death is a fitting time to reflect on and celebrate the legacy of the 20th-century’s greatest Catholic author,” said Dr. Ben Reinhard, conference organizer and associate professor of English at Franciscan University. “In addition, 2023 is a significant turning point in Tolkien studies because the generation of scholars that truly knew him is entering retirement. It’s not yet clear what sort of scholarship will fill the void they are leaving. We hope to make Franciscan University a center of Tolkien scholarship in the 21st century.” 

The significance of the conference’s title and dates will not be lost on Tolkien fans. A Long-Expected Party falls on September 22, the shared birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, principal characters in Tolkien’s two most beloved books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. 

J.R.R. (John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien (1892–1973) was an Oxford University English language scholar and one of the most popular authors of the 20th century. With over 700 million copies sold and published in dozens of languages, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings also inspired Peter Jackson’s blockbuster films, which have grossed $7 billion worldwide. 

“Millions have found Tolkien’s work to be an occasion of grace in their lives, and we’re only beginning to sound the depths of his creative project,” said Reinhard. 

Contact

Dr. Ben Reinhard 

Associate Professor of English 

[email protected] 

Franciscan University of Steubenville 

Speakers

Holly Ordway
Keynote: Dr. Holly Ordway
Fr. Michael Ward
Keynote: Fr. Michael Ward
Eric Ellis
Dr. Erik Ellis
Paul Gondreau
Dr. Paul Gondreau
Dr. Andrew Seeley
Dr. Andrew Seeley
Full Speaker List

Conference Schedule

12:00 PM

Opening Benediction & Welcome

Gentile Gallery

Franciscan Friars, TOR

Ben Reinhard, Franciscan University of Steubenville

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Birmingham and Beyond: Tolkien's Education

Presider: John Holmes, Franciscan University of Steubenville

“Honor, Competition, and Academic Devotion: Tolkien’s Education at King Edward’s” Benjamin Boyle, Hillsdale College

“Tolkien’s Textbooks: The Key to the Wordhoard” Erik Ellis, Hillsdale College

“Conscience and authority: Tolkien’s development of Newman in The Return of the King” Melinda Nielsen, Baylor University

Gentile Gallery

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

J.R.R. Tolkien's Literary Resonances

Presider: Vince Rone, Franciscan University of Steubenville

“‘Rhythmic Pattern in The Lord of the Rings’: The Catholics and the Taoists – A Mertonian View of Ursula K. Le Guin on Tolkien” Evan Hulick, Catholic University of America

"Tom Bombadillo-Ba-Wop-Bam-Boom: Eduard Sievers meets Little Richard in Tolkien's Verse." John Holmes, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Gentile Gallery

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

Break

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

First Keynote Address

Presider: Aaron Urbanczyk, Franciscan University of Steubenville

“Tolkien’s Faith and the Foundations of Middle-earth.” Holly Ordway, Word on Fire Institute

Gentile Gallery

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Dinner

Antonian Hall

6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

The Music of Middle-Earth

Presider: Ivan Eidt, University of Dallas

“Musical Characterization in Tolkien’s Legendarium." Vincent Rone, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Performance Schola Cantorum Franciscana

Gentile Gallery