Order of the British Empire

From Tolkien Gateway
J.R.R. Tolkien holding his C.B.E. outside Buckingham Palace with his son, John and daughter, Priscilla, March 1972.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry in the British honours system, and its most populous, with five classes in civil and military divisions.

Queen Elizabeth II (b.1926 - d.2022) appointed J.R.R. Tolkien a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours of 1 January 1972 "For services to English Literature".[1] Tolkien received the insignia of the Order at Buckingham Palace on 28 March.[2]

C.S. Lewis also had been named on the last list of honours earlier in December 1951, but he declined.[3]

Other recipients include actors Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Annette Crosbie, Antony Sher, Lenny Henry, Martin Jarvis, John Hurt, Billy Connolly, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Derek Jacobi.

External links[edit | edit source]

References