'''Samwise Gamgee''', also referred to as '''Sam''', is a fictional character in [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth ]] world, appearing as a main character in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Sam was a [[Hobbit]] from the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]], and [[Frodo Baggins]] gardener and friend.
He was born in [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]] 2980 as the fifth child of Hamfast Gamgee, called the "Gaffer", and Bell Goodchild. Sam had two elder brothers and three sisters.
He was one in the small group knowing about the [[One Ring (Middle-earth)|One Ring]] and Frodo's departure for [[Rivendell]]. He later became part of the ''Fellowship of the Ring'' and continued to travel with Frodo even after the Breaking of the Fellowship. Sam became the bearer of the [[One Ring (Middle-earth)|One Ring]] for a short time until he rescued Frodo at Cirith Ungol.
After the War of the Ring, Sam settled with Frodo in Bag End. Sam married Rose Cotton, and the couple had six daugthers daughters and seven sons. When Frodo left, Sam became his heir, and continued the [[Red Book of Westmarch]].<ref>''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix</ref>
Although not carrying the Ring, Sam was one of the important factors in the destruction of the Ring, as Sam was instrumental in enabling Frodo to finish his quest. Tolkien had a high regard of Sam, believing him to be very important to the plot, going so far as to call him "chief hero" in one of his letters.<ref>''The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien'', #131</ref>
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