Reception of J. R. R. Tolkien of "The Hobbit" appeared in 1957 (translated by Walter Scherf), and that of "The Lord of the Rings" in 1972 (translated by Margaret Carroux and Ebba-Margareta von Freymann). The Deutsche Tolkien Gesellschaft (DTG) is a German association dedicated to the study of the life and works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Founded in 1997, it is based in Cologne. The DTG has more than 500 members (as of 2005) and is organized in a widespread network of local chapters. It is the main driving force of Tolkien reception in the German speaking countries (c.f. Honegger (2006); the first Swiss Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien increased interest in the value of wild and untamed nature, and in protecting what wild nature was left in the industrialized world. Tolkien devised several themes that were reused in successive drafts of his "legendarium", beginning with "The Book of Lost Tales", written while recuperating from illnesses contracted during The Battle of the Somme. The two most prominent stories, the tale of Beren and Lúthien and that of Túrin, were carried forward into long narrative poems (published in "The Lays of Beleriand"). One of the greatest influences on Tolkien was the Arts and Crafts polymath William Morris. Tolkien wished to