J.R.R. Tolkien

Early Life and Background

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, popularly known as J.R.R. Tolkien, was an English writer and philologist who was famous for creating the fantasy world of Middle-earth. Tolkien was born in 1892 in South Africa but moved to England with his mother and brother just before his father’s demise. He grew up in Birmingham where he developed an interest in languages, myths, and legends at an early age.

Service in World War I

Tolkien served in the First World War as a lieutenant. He even fought in the Battle of the Somme. Post the war, Tolkien worked as a professor at the University of Oxford.

The Creation of Middle-earth: The Hobbit

Tolkien’s most famous works include *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings*, which are both set in Middle-earth, a fantasy world inhabited by elves, dragons, and dwarves among other creatures. Tolkien started his work on *The Hobbit* as a story for his children and published it in 1937. *The Hobbit* was well-received by critics and readers. The book’s popularity grew so much that its readers demanded a sequel.

The Lord of the Rings: A Literary Phenomenon

J.R.R. Tolkien then went to work on his next book called *The Lord of the Rings*. After spending more than a decade on it, Tolkien published the book in three volumes between 1954 and 1955. It quickly became a bestseller and a cultural phenomenon and is considered one of the best novels of all time.

Posthumous Works and Legacy

Tolkien also wrote other stories and poems related to Middle-earth. However, these works weren’t published during his lifetime. His son, Christopher Tolkien, edited and published them posthumously.

Languages and World-Building

Tolkien’s penchant for languages was evident in his works of fiction where he invented several languages for his fictional races, such as Quenya and Sindarin for the elves, and Khuzdul for the dwarves. He put a great deal of detail into his books by drawing maps and illustrations for his books and creating a detailed chronology and genealogy for his characters.

Death and Recognition

Tolkien died in 1973 at the age of 81 due to a bleeding ulcer and a chest infection. He received many awards and recognitions for his work, such as being named Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.