J.R.R. Tolkien, born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and academic. He is best known for his works in the fantasy genre, notably the epic novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien was the son of Arthur Reuel Tolkien, a bank manager, and Mabel Suffield. After his father's death in 1896, Mabel returned to England with her sons. Tolkien's early education was influenced by his mother's conversion to Catholicism, which had a lasting impact on his religious beliefs and his works. He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, where he excelled in classics and languages. After Mabel's death in 1904, he was taken under the guardianship of Father Francis Xavier Morgan of the Birmingham Oratory.
Tolkien studied at Exeter College, Oxford, initially studying Classics but later switching to English Language and Literature. His linguistic talent and love for languages were evident early on, leading him to invent languages like Quenya and Sindarin, which would later appear in his Middle-earth writings.
After serving in the British Army during World War I, where he contracted trench fever, Tolkien returned to academia. He worked on the New English Dictionary (later known as the Oxford English Dictionary), and in 1925, he became a Professor at University of Leeds. In 1925, he was appointed Professor of Anglo-Saxon at University of Oxford, where he taught until 1959.
His literary works began with The Hobbit, published in 1937. This children's book unexpectedly led to the creation of The Lord of the Rings, which was published in three volumes between 1954 and 1955. These works are notable for their depth, detailing a rich mythology with its own history, languages, and cultures.
Other notable works include:
Tolkien's influence on modern fantasy literature is profound. His detailed world-building, the creation of languages, and the exploration of themes like power, sacrifice, and friendship have inspired countless authors. His works have been translated into over 38 languages and have sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. Additionally, The Lord of the Rings was adapted into a highly successful film trilogy by Peter Jackson.
Tolkien was honored with numerous awards, including the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1972.
Tolkien married Edith Mary Bratt in 1916. They had four children, including Christopher Tolkien, who later became a significant figure in the publication of his father's posthumous works. Tolkien passed away on September 2, 1973, in Bournemouth, England, and is buried with his wife in Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford.