Choose a Name for Our New Column!
Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
The first king of Númenor, Elros's heritage manifests itself in the portrayal of various central characters of The Lord of the Rings.
Published on 1 June 2009.
Although not typically thought of as Silmarillion characters, Elladan and Elrohir's family tree is a veritable thicket of who's-who in the First Age. Part One of this two-part biography explores their family ties and the events in their lives up to the Ring War, while Part Two considers their role in the Ring War and the broader thematic importance of their storyline to the legendarium.
Published on 1 June 2019.
The eldest son of Isildur, Elendur plays a vital role in keeping the One Ring out of enemy hands.
Published on 1 March 2014.
Eldalótë, the wife of Angrod, is mentioned only in History of Middle-earth texts and not once in the published Silmarillion. This biography reviews what is known of this elusive character, including what linguistic clues can tell us about whether she accompanied her husband to Middle-earth.
Published on 1 October 2010.
The capture of Edhrahil--one of Finrod's twelve companions--is among the most chilling in The Silmarillion.
Published on 1 October 2013.
As one of the lords of Gondolin, Ecthelion appears in some of Tolkien's earliest writings about Middle-earth.
Published on 1 September 2011.
In addition to his essential role in the histories of the early ages, Eärendil is steeped in symbolic and mythic significance that elevates him to one of the most important characters in the legendarium.
Published on 1 February 2011.
The only child of Lúthien and Beren, Dior's legacy is mostly due to his place in the history of the Peredhil who would knit together the First, Second, and Third Ages.
Published on 1 June 2013.
One of the few named Avari in the texts, Denethor's death in an early battle would have long-standing consequences for his people, the Laiquendi.
Published on 1 December 2013.
Círdan the Shipwright is one of Tolkien's few important characters who plays a substantial role throughout the entire history of the Elves in Middle-earth, present from Cuiviénen to the departure of Frodo at the start of the Fourth Age.
Published on 1 July 2014.
In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Celegorm is revealed as a character who evolves from one beloved of a Vala to a fallen, villainous character.
Published on 3 July 2007.
Celebrimbor first appeared in The Lord of the Rings, and as Tolkien rewrote his story to include him in The Silmarillion, his proclivities and tale parallels that of his grandfather Fëanor.
Published on 1 March 2010.
In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Celebrimbor was originally a Lord of the Rings character retrofitted into The Silmarillion.
Published on 9 July 2007.
Following the two-part biography of Galadriel, this essay considers her husband, who was notable as a warrior and a leader in his own right. A character dogged by movie fanon that would dismiss him as inconsequential and confused by contradictory texts, Celeborn emerges in this analysis as sympathetic, powerful, and wise: a fitting companion for Galadriel.
Published on 1 October 2018.
The massive wolf Carcharoth draws on a rich literary history of symbolic and mythic significance of wolves.
Published on 1 February 2015.
In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Caranthir is revealed as a rather enigmatic character among the Fëanorians.
Published on 4 July 2007.