J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was an English writer, philologist, and academic, renowned for his epic fantasy works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which have captivated readers worldwide.
Biography
| Full Name | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | 3 January 1892 |
| Death | 2 September 1973 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Writer, Philologist |
| Notable Works | The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings |
| Academic Positions |
Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon, Fellow of Pembroke College (1925-1945) Merton Professor of English Language and Literature, Fellow of Merton College (1945-1959) |
| Literary Group | The Inklings |
| Honors | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1972) |
| Posthumous Publications | The Silmarillion (published by his son Christopher Tolkien) |
| Fantasy World | Arda, including Middle-earth |
| Influence | Father of modern fantasy literature, one of the most influential authors of all time |
Early Life
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, more commonly known as J.R.R. Tolkien, was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, in the Orange Free State (now South Africa). After the death of his father, Arthur Tolkien, a bank manager, in 1896, the family moved to England. Tolkien's mother, Mabel, settled with her two sons in Sarehole, near Birmingham, which later greatly influenced Tolkien's writings. The loss of his father at such a young age, followed by the death of his mother when he was just twelve, left a profound impact on him. He and his younger brother, Hilary, were then raised by a guardian, Father Francis Xavier Morgan, who ensured they received a good education. Tolkien's early years in Birmingham, coupled with his academic journey, laid the foundation for his future works in high fantasy, most notably "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings.
Family
| Name | Relationship | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Tolkien | Father | Arthur Tolkien was a bank manager and the father of J.R.R. Tolkien. He was born in Birmingham, England, and moved to South Africa for work, where J.R.R. Tolkien was born. He passed away when Tolkien was just four years old. |
| Mabel Tolkien | Mother | Mabel Suffield Tolkien was a significant influence on J.R.R. Tolkien's early education, teaching him languages and literature. After the death of Arthur, she moved back to England with her children and faced financial difficulties. She passed away when Tolkien was twelve. |
| Hilary Arthur Reuel Tolkien | Brother | Hilary Arthur Reuel Tolkien was the younger brother of J.R.R. Tolkien. Born in 1894, Hilary shared a close bond with J.R.R., especially after the death of their parents. He later became a farmer and lived in Evesham, Worcestershire. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Other Body Measurements | Unknown |
- Tolkien served in the British Army during World War I.
- He reached the rank of lieutenant, serving as Battalion Signals officer and frequently worked close to the front lines.
- He fought in the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
- Two of Tolkien's close friends died during the battle.
- Full Name: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
- Born: January 3, 1892
- Died: September 2, 1973
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Writer, Philologist
- Notable Works: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
J.R.R. Tolkien was married to Edith Mary Tolkien. They were married on March 22, 1916. Edith Bratt was a significant influence on Tolkien's life and work. She inspired the character Lúthien Tinúviel in "The Silmarillion", and Tolkien had the names “Beren” and “Lúthien” inscribed on their headstone. Edith was known for her musical talent and devotion to Tolkien, supporting him through his academic and literary career.
J.R.R. Tolkien did not have any known previous relationships or affairs before or during his marriage to Edith Mary Tolkien.
Relationship Timeline
| Name | Relationship Type | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edith Mary Tolkien | Wife | 1916 - 1971 | Married on March 22, 1916. Edith was the inspiration for Lúthien Tinúviel in "The Silmarillion". |
Edith Bratt converted to Catholicism to marry Tolkien, which demonstrates the depth of their commitment to each other. Their relationship was one of mutual support and inspiration, with Edith's influence seen in Tolkien's works. They remained married until Edith's death in 1971, followed by Tolkien's death in 1973.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, commonly known as J.R.R. Tolkien, became famous primarily through his high fantasy works, The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955). He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University, a brilliant philologist, and a self-described "hobbit". His intricate world-building and the depth of his fictional languages set his work apart and garnered a massive following.
Tolkien's career began in academia. He served in the British Army during World War I and later became a professor at Oxford. His love for language and philology played a crucial role in his literary works. His first major published work, The Hobbit, was an immediate success and led to the more complex and expansive The Lord of the Rings series.
- The Hobbit (1937)
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy:
- The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
- The Two Towers (1954)
- The Return of the King (1955)
- The Silmarillion (published posthumously in 1977)
- The Children of Húrin (published posthumously in 2007)
Tolkien received numerous awards and honors throughout his life and posthumously. Some of the notable accolades include:
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1972
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL)
- The Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (posthumously for The Silmarillion)
While J.R.R. Tolkien's works are widely celebrated, they have not been without controversy. Some of the most notable controversies include:
- Tolkien and Race: Some critics have argued that his works contain racial stereotypes, particularly in the depiction of various fictional races such as orcs and elves. Tolkien's defenders argue that these interpretations are misreadings of his work.
- Interpretations of His Work: There have been numerous debates regarding the interpretation of Tolkien's works, especially in terms of religious and political allegories. Tolkien himself stated that his works were not allegories.
Despite these controversies, Tolkien's influence on the genre of fantasy literature is undeniable, and his works continue to captivate readers worldwide.
- J.R.R. Tolkien - Wikipedia
- J.R.R. Tolkien | Biography, Books, Movies, & Facts | Britannica
- Biography – The Tolkien Society
- J.R.R. Tolkien Biography - Tolkien Library
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