"Uncle Curro". J.R.R. Tolkien's Spanish Connection

This book is a biography, but also more than that. It reconstructs the little known personal journey of Francis Morgan Osborne (1857-1935), a Catholic priest born in Port St Mary's (Spain), guardian and "second father" of J.R.R. Tolkien, one of the most celebrated authors of our time.

This is the result of a thorough investigation, carried out between Spain and England, with the support, among others, of Priscilla Tolkien, daughter of the author, whose testimony provided previously unpublished insight into the connection between her father and Spain, through his guardian.

"This new book paints a portrait not only of Francis Morgan but of the dynasty and the sherry trade of Cadiz – a small world unto itself – from which he emerged into independent life. It will satisfy the most hobbit-like hunger for family history." John Garth

"Dismantles some myths and teaches us much more, through a serious investigation with verified data, rather than the pseudo-fictional style typical of many Tolkien biographers." Estel Magazine. Tolkien Society of Spain

"I consider this book to be a valuable contribution to Tolkien scholarship." Mythoi Blog

"It is an enjoyable book, written with rigor and clarity, which places the narrated facts accurately in their historical context." Revista de historia de El Puerto