J.R.R. Tolkien was a brilliant English writer, best known for his high-fantasy works “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Born in South Africa in 1892, Tolkien spent much of his childhood in England after his father’s death. He developed a love for languages and mythology, which greatly influenced his writing.

– Tolkien was a philologist, specializing in Old and Middle English languages, which he taught at Oxford University.

– He served in World War I, an experience that profoundly impacted his writing, particularly his depiction of war in Middle-earth.

– “The Hobbit,” initially written for his children, was published in 1937 and gained immediate popularity.

– “The Lord of the Rings” was published in three volumes between 1954 and 1955, becoming one of the best-selling novels of all time.

– Tolkien created detailed languages like Elvish and Dwarvish, along with rich histories and cultures for his fictional world, Middle-earth.

– His work has inspired countless writers, artists, filmmakers, and even spawned a genre of fantasy literature known as “Tolkien-esque.”

– Tolkien’s love story with his wife Edith is legendary; he even inscribed their tombstone with the names of Beren and Lúthien, characters from his legendarium.

Tolkien’s impact on literature and popular culture is immense, and his works continue to captivate readers worldwide.