So... wait, your argument is that he had a backstory (Which many fantasy authors do), and he based his works on this history (Which, when writing a story, you don't ignore the history most often) and were never published, until his son cleaned them up, and decided the movies were a good time to release them?
The only difference I can see is A) His notes were 300 pages instead of 50 pages of notes and B) His Son either wanted more money (Likely) or wanted his Father's works remembered better by publishing the base history that he imagined to guide his work. Rather than by some generally fantastic movies.
Forgive the cynicism in me, but I don't see that as an enormous credit to his works. His works stand alone without this lovely BS he wrote notes like every other author so he's great.
See Ya George.
"He did not die - He passed Away"
At least following a comedians own jokes makes his death easier.
