Full Name and Common Aliases

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, commonly known as J.R.R. Tolkien, was a British author, philologist, and university professor best recognized for his fantasy stories.

Birth and Death Dates

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (now part of South Africa), to Arthur Reuel Tolkien and Mabel Suffield Tolkien. He passed away on September 2, 1973, at the age of 81, in Bournemouth, England.

Nationality and Profession(s)

Tolkien was a British national and held the position of Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University from 1925 to 1945. He also worked as an English tutor at New College, Oxford, from 1911 until his professorship began.

Early Life and Background

Growing up in Bloemfontein and later moving to England with his family due to financial difficulties, Tolkien developed a love for languages and mythology at an early age. His mother, Mabel, introduced him to the Finnish language and encouraged his interest in linguistics. After her death in 1904, Tolkien's father remarried, but their relationship was strained.

Tolkien developed close friendships with Christopher Wiseman, Geoffrey Bache Smith, and Robert Gilson during his time at King Edward's School in Birmingham. These friendships had a significant impact on his future writing and character development. He also attended Exeter College, Oxford, where he studied English Language and Literature and became fascinated with Old English, Middle English, and other languages.

Major Accomplishments

Tolkien's most notable accomplishments include creating the fictional world of Middle-earth and its inhabitants, including hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans. His major works include:

The Hobbit (1937) - a fantasy novel that follows Bilbo Baggins on his journey to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955) - a high-fantasy epic that chronicles the struggle between good and evil as hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans unite to destroy the One Ring.

Tolkien's work in philology also led to his discovery of the Old English poem Beowulf, which he translated into modern English. His expertise in languages and linguistics was invaluable in shaping his fictional worlds and characters.

Notable Works or Actions

Some of Tolkien's notable works include:

The Silmarillion (1977, published posthumously) - a collection of stories about the creation of Middle-earth and its history.
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth (1980, published posthumously) - a collection of stories that explore the history of Middle-earth.
The History of Middle-earth series (1983-1996, published posthumously) - a 12-volume series that provides an in-depth look at Tolkien's development of Middle-earth and its characters.

Impact and Legacy

Tolkien's impact on literature is immense. His creation of Middle-earth has inspired countless authors, artists, and musicians to explore the realms of fantasy and imagination. The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide.

The influence of Tolkien's work can be seen in various aspects of popular culture:

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series draws inspiration from Tolkien's concept of a richly detailed, magical world.
George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series shares similarities with The Lord of the Rings' epic scope and complex characters.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered

Tolkien is widely quoted for his wisdom on language, mythology, and storytelling. His quotes often emphasize the importance of imagination, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Some of his most famous quotes include:

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."