J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) was an English writer, philologist, and academic best known for creating the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and raised in England, he served in World War I before embarking on a distinguished career as a professor of Anglo-Saxon and later English language and literature at the University of Oxford.
A lifelong scholar of languages and myths, Tolkien wove his deep knowledge of linguistics and legend into The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954–1955), works that shaped modern fantasy literature. His posthumously published writings, edited by his son Christopher, further expanded the history and lore of Middle-earth. Revered for his meticulous worldbuilding, Tolkien’s stories continue to inspire generations of readers and writers worldwide.
