Catherine McIlwaine earned her BA in classical civilization at the University of Sheffield in 1989.
[1][2] Denis Bridoux, reviewing the book for Tolkien Studies, calls it "a mammoth endeavor and ... a tremendous achievement."
He notes that it is scholarly, while the companion book Treasures is aesthetic; he calls the two complementary, and recommends newcomers to buy both.
[4] Hugh Crago, reviewing for the Children's Literature Association, calls the book "well organized [and] well written".
[5] In 2019, McIlwaine won a World Fantasy Special Award—Professional for curating the Bodleian's Tolkien exhibition.