J. R. R. Tolkien – the British master of high-fantasy

If you’re into fantasy fiction I bet you’ve heard about "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" (or more properly "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again"). These are the most notorious works by the legendary British writer - John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known simply as J. R. R. Tolkien.

J. R. R. Tolkien was born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. At age four, after his father’s death, his family moved to England, near Birmingham. After his mother’s death in 1904, he became a ward of a Catholic priest. Tolkien attended King Edward’s School (Birmingham) and Exeter College (Oxford). He later became a Lecturer in English Language And Literature at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford. In middle 1920s he translated  the famous "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and completed a translation of the "Beowulf". In 1937 Tolkien published the notorious fantasy novel "The Hobbit". What’s interesting, he created over 100 illustrations to it. The book was such a succes that he decided to write a sequel – 17 years later he published "The Lord of the Rings". Although regarded the second book as a single work, it is divided into three parts: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Tower", and "The Return of the King" (often published separately). Tolkien retired from professorial duties in 1959. He died in 1973 (at the age of 81).

Perhaps, Tolkien’s biography might seem boring at first glance, but when we take a closer look… we realise it’s just the opposite!

At the age of 16, J.R.R. Tolkien met Edith Mary Bratt. The two fell in love, but they were forbidden to meet (or even correspond!) until his 21th birthday. That day he wrote to the woman, but unfortunately she was already engaged to somebody else! Tolkien didn’t give up though and eventually Edith accepted Tolkien's proposal. They got married in 1916 and were happily married for 55 years (until her death). They had four children.

Furthermore, the First and the Second World War had a great impact on Tolkien and his works. During WWI he was an ordinary soldier, fighting in the trenches. He took part in the Battle of the Somme - two of his good friends were killed then. The horryfing events have influenced his works – which is most apparent in the Middle-earth wars and battles. Take the Mûmakil elephants as an example. Their devastating strength was inpirated by tanks. The famous words said by Gandalf - “You shall not pass” - were an allusion to a common WWI propaganda slogan (“No pasarán!”).

Tolkien is without a doubt one of the most influential figure in modern fantasy fiction. Some of the names he made up, such as “hobbit” were even added to the Oxford dictionary! His works were sold in over 250 million copies. "The Hobbit” is a set book in many schools worldwide… and of course his novels "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" were adapted to films several times (the most famous were directed by Peter Jackson).

So, that’s it J. Don’t forget about the original “LOTR” writer! If you enjoyed my work check out my other posts. See ya!

Bibliography

·      http://www.biography.com/people/

·      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien

·      http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zgr9kqt

·      http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/

+ Some of the Tolkien’s drawings (Colored by H. E. Riddett). Enjoy ;)