J. R. R. Tolkien ​

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English writer, poet, philologist, and academic, best known as the author of the high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He is often considered the father of modern fantasy literature.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for his high fantasy works including the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.
• His writings have been translated into over 50 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
• Had a profound impact on the genre of fantasy literature.
• His Middle-Earth fictional Universe is the setting of the majority of his works.
• His other notable works include Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.
• Posthumously awarded the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Background ​

Tolkien was born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa to English parents, and was raised in England. He served as a second lieutenant in World War I, and his experiences in the Battle of the Somme profoundly influenced his later writing. After the war, Tolkien worked as a lexicographer on the Oxford English Dictionary, and later became a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. In 1937, he published his first significant work, The Hobbit, followed by The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which are considered some of the best-selling and most influential works in the genre of high fantasy. In addition to his fiction, Tolkien is also known for his scholarship in Old and Middle English literature. Tolkien died in 1973. His works continue to be published posthumously, edited and presented by his son, Christopher Tolkien.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Tolkien's writing style is marked by its depth, attention to detail, and the richness of his world-building. His work is credited with practically inventing the modern fantasy genre and has influenced countless authors and creators since. He intricately wove together myth, legend, and his own invention to create a vast universe filled with complex characters and coherent internal histories and languages. His emphasis on themes of heroism, friendship, and the battle against evil resonate with readers of all ages.

Notable Works ​

• The Hobbit (1937)
• The Lord of The Rings trilogy (1954-1955)
• The Silmarillion (1977)
• Unfinished Tales (1980)
• The Children of Hurin (2007)