J.R.R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (born January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa; died September 2, 1973, in Bournemouth, England) was an English philologist, academic, and legendary author widely regarded as the father of modern fantasy literature. A professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University, Tolkien’s deep knowledge of languages, mythology, and medieval literature laid the foundation for his most famous works.

J.R.R. Tolkien is best known for his epic high-fantasy novels The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King), published between 1954 and 1955. These stories, set in the richly imagined world of Middle-earth, revolutionized the fantasy genre with their intricate lore, invented languages, and timeless themes of courage, fellowship, and the struggle between good and evil.

Tolkien’s legendarium expanded posthumously through the efforts of his son, Christopher Tolkien, who edited and published The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, offering readers deeper insight into Tolkien’s expansive mythology and cosmology.

In addition to his literary work, Tolkien served in World War I and worked on the Oxford English Dictionary. He was a member of the Inklings literary group alongside C.S. Lewis and had a lifelong Catholic faith that subtly influenced his storytelling.

Tolkien’s influence is vast, shaping generations of fantasy writers, inspiring global blockbuster film adaptations, and spawning an enduring fandom. His works have sold over 250 million copies worldwide and continue to resonate across cultures and ages.