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**The Saucepan Man** · 03-15-2003, 08:17 PM

I think that we might be getting a little precious in describing JRRT as the creator of the fantasy genre. The Hobbit was first published in 1936. At the same time, Robert E Howard was publishing his first Conan stories, and had published a few stories in similar vein earlier. Fritz Lieber's Nehwon books were first published (I think) in the 1940s. And I'm sure that there were fantasy novels published earlier than all these.

Indeed, fairy-tales, involving Elves, Dwarves and Goblins, have been around for centuries, and the Brothers Grimm first started collecting and publishing such tales in the early 19th century.

Of course, in our opinion, JRRT is the best fantasy author. But that does not mean to say that he was the first.

03-15-2003, 08:17 PM	#87
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	I think that we might be getting a little precious in describing JRRT as the creator of the fantasy genre. The Hobbit was first published in 1936. At the same time, Robert E Howard was publishing his first Conan stories, and had published a few stories in similar vein earlier. Fritz Lieber's Nehwon books were first published (I think) in the 1940s. And I'm sure that there were fantasy novels published earlier than all these. Indeed, fairy-tales, involving Elves, Dwarves and Goblins, have been around for centuries, and the Brothers Grimm first started collecting and publishing such tales in the early 19th century. Of course, in our opinion, JRRT is the best fantasy author. But that does not mean to say that he was the first. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!