J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien was a British author and professor. He was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892. He created the fantasy world of Middle-earth. His books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are among the most popular novels ever written.

Early Life

Tolkien grew up in England after his father died. He loved languages from a young age and even invented his own. He served in World War I. He became a professor of English at Oxford University.

A young J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1920s during his university days.
A young J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1920s during his university days. (Unknown photo studio commissioned by Tolkien's students 1925/6 (private communication from Catherine McIlwaine, Tolkien Archivist, Bodleian Library) / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Tolkien published The Hobbit in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings in the 1950s. He invented entire languages, histories, and maps for his fantasy world. His books have sold over 150 million copies. They were adapted into award-winning movies directed by Peter Jackson.

Fun Facts

  • Tolkien invented over a dozen languages for the peoples of Middle-earth.
  • He started writing The Hobbit as a story for his children.
  • He was friends with C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia.

Did You Know?

Tolkien spent 12 years writing The Lord of the Rings. He drew detailed maps of Middle-earth and wrote histories going back thousands of years. His world-building influenced almost every fantasy author who came after him.