Hummond Goldworthy, called Hum because he tends to do just that, is a distant cousin of the Bilbo Baggins. He is fond of listening to Bilbo's stories about his adventures. However, where others are captivated by the horrifying monsters or wondrous treasure, it's the songs that enthrall Hum with every telling. Hummond has an especially keen love of song, even for a hobbit, and he is a fine singer and musician. Hummond is an immensely friendly sort, and his smile and honey-brown eyes inspire immediate trust in most. He is quite hale for a hobbit, owing much to the long jaunts he takes when “following a tune.” More often than not, these jaunts take him to the home of his other cousins in the Hornblower family, where he sometimes serves as a cook, and they all reminisce of childhood mischief and wonder about the lands beyond the Shire.

Goldworthy is a name as old as the Shire and as respectable as any family therein. For his part, Hummond is a gentleman of fine standing.  So, when he announced that he would not be entering the family business, but instead traveling abroad to meet fine new peoples and share in their songs, it came as quite a shock to the entire community. This wasn't some errant Took or strange-minded Brandybuck, but a Goldworthy. Good heavens! Was no one safe from adventures now?