R. J. Stewart

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, born in 1892, was an English writer and scholar of philology, celebrated for creating the high fantasy narratives "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." His academic career was spent at the University of Oxford, holding professorships in Anglo-Saxon and later English Language and Literature. A devout Catholic, he was part of the literary discussion group known as the Inklings, alongside C.S. Lewis.

Beyond his famous novels, Tolkien developed an extensive mythology and world, Arda, which includes Middle-earth, documented in works like "The Silmarillion." His writings, particularly "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," significantly boosted the popularity of the fantasy genre, earning him recognition as a foundational figure in modern fantasy literature and one of history's most impactful authors. His extensive notes and manuscripts were posthumously compiled and published by his son, Christopher.

Born in South Africa, J.R.R. Tolkien returned to England with his mother and brother after his father's death. Raised by his mother and later under the guardianship of Father Francis Morgan, he was educated at home and later at King Edward's School in Birmingham. His mother instilled in him a love for languages and instilled religious devotion, having converted to Catholicism despite family opposition. Tolkien's childhood explorations of the Worcestershire countryside, including Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog, provided inspiration for his later fictional landscapes. He also developed an early interest in languages, experimenting with constructed languages and learning Esperanto.

Tolkien pursued higher education at Oxford University, initially studying classics before shifting to English language and literature. He became a distinguished academic, holding professorships in Anglo-Saxon and later English Language and Literature at Oxford for many years. During his time at Oxford, he was a member of the Inklings, an informal group of writers and scholars who discussed literature and ideas. This period was highly productive for his creative writing, laying the groundwork for his most famous works.

Tolkien is primarily recognized for his monumental fantasy works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." These stories are set in the richly detailed world of Arda, featuring Middle-earth, and are supported by a vast body of lore, languages, and histories that Tolkien referred to as his "legendarium." His meticulous world-building and narrative depth profoundly influenced the fantasy genre, inspiring countless authors and readers. The success of his books is credited with igniting widespread interest in fantasy literature, establishing him as a pivotal figure in its development.

“My own dear mother was a martyr indeed, and it is not to everybody that God grants so easy a way to his great gifts as he did to Hilary and myself, giving us a mother who killed herself with labour and trouble to ensure us keeping the faith.”