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J. R. R. Tolkien

English writer and philologist (1892-1973) · United Kingdom · Writers · Died at 81

J. R. R. Tolkien is read about 11,311 times a day, in 164 languages.

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He built an entire mythology - languages, histories, poems - then wrapped it in a story about a ring. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings didn't just sell; they detonated the modern fantasy genre.

WritersWriter / AuthorPoetryLiteratureHistoryFictionUnited KingdomEurope

A life in dates

2022The Fall of NúmenorBook published after his death, book by J. R. R. Tolkien2019TolkienBiopic about his life3 May 2019, 2019 film directed by Dome KarukoskiIMDb2017Beren and LúthienBook published after his death, book by J. R. R. Tolkien2013Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of FameAward2009Prometheus Award - Hall of FameAward2007The Children of HúrinBook published after his death, 2007 novel by J. R. R. Tolkien2004Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long FormAwardNebula Award for Best ScriptAward2003Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long FormAwardNebula Award for Best ScriptAward2002Nebula Award for Best ScriptAward1981Mythopoeic Fantasy AwardAward1980Unfinished TalesBook published after his death, 1980 collection of stories and essays by J.R.R. TolkienMythopoeic AwardsAward1978Ditmar AwardAwardLocus Award for Best Fantasy NovelAward1977AinulindalëBook published after his death15 September 1977, short story by J.R.R. TolkienThe SilmarillionBook published after his death15 September 1977, collection of myths and stories written by J. R. R. Tolkien19771976The Father Christmas LettersBook published after his death, picture book by J. R. R. Tolkien1973Died2 September 19731972Commander of the Order of the British EmpireAward1963“the most tragic moment in the Tale comes in II 323 ff. ['The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'] when Sam fails to note the complete change in Gollum's tone and aspect.”In their wordsSeptember 1963September 1963 letter to Eileen Elgar here

1958“I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size).”In their words25 October 1958Letter to Deborah Webster (25 October 1958)

“I wept when I wrote that.”In their words28 March 1958response by Tolkien during a "Hobbit Meal" at Rotterdam Holland attended 28 March 1958, in response to Professor Lambers summarizing

1957Fellow of the Royal Society of LiteratureAwardInternational Fantasy Award for Best FictionAward1945“That story was the only thing I have ever done which cost me absolutely no pains at all. Usually I compose only with great difficulty and endless rewriting.”In their words18 March 1945About "Leaf by Niggle", in a letter to Stanley Unwin (18 March 1945)

1936“The significance of a myth is not easily to be pinned on paper by analytical reasoning.”In their words"Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics" (1936), p. 14

1931“Wars are not favourable to delicate pleasures.”In their words"A Secret Vice" (lecture, 1931) published in The Monsters And The Critics And Other Essays (1983), edited by Christopher Tolkien

1925Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-SaxonOffice1925-19451892Born3 January 1892

Also in Deutsch

Photos 12

1892 Christmas card with a coloured photo of the Tolkien family in Bloemfontein, sent to relatives in Birmingham, England1892 Christmas card with a coloured photo of the Tolkien family in Bloemfontein, sent to relatives in Birmingham, EnglandBirmingham Oratory, where Tolkien was a parishioner and altar boy (1902-1911)Birmingham Oratory, where Tolkien was a parishioner and altar boy (1902-1911)King Edward's School in Birmingham, where Tolkien was a pupil (1900-1902, 1903-1911)[24]King Edward's School in Birmingham, where Tolkien was a pupil (1900-1902, 1903-1911)[24]Tolkien at age 19, 1911Tolkien at age 19, 1911Edith Mary Bratt in 1906 at age 17. She married Tolkien in 1916.Edith Mary Bratt in 1906 at age 17. She married Tolkien in 1916.Second Lieutenant Tolkien in uniform, 1916Second Lieutenant Tolkien in uniform, 1916The Schwaben Redoubt, painting by William Orpen. Imperial War Museum, LondonThe Schwaben Redoubt, painting by William Orpen. Imperial War Museum, London

In their own words 10

,
J. R. R. Tolkien
,
10 statements, newest first

  1. the most tragic moment in the Tale comes in II 323 ff. ['The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'] when Sam fails to note the complete change in Gollum's tone and aspect.

    Sep 1963, September 1963 letter to Eileen Elgar here, Own words

  2. I have the hatred of apartheid in my bones...

    1959, Valedictory address to the University of Oxford (1959), Own words

  3. I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size).

    Oct 25, 1958, Letter to Deborah Webster (25 October 1958), Own words

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Awards

Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame2013
Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame2009
Nebula Award for Best Script2004
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form2004
Nebula Award for Best Script2003
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form2003
Nebula Award for Best Script2002
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation2002
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award1981
Mythopoeic Awards1980
Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel1978
Ditmar Award1978
Commander of the Order of the British Empire1972
Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature1957
International Fantasy Award for Best Fiction1957

Family

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J. R. R. Tolkien

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About this person

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English philologist who taught Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, then English Language and Literature until his retirement in 1959. He published The Hobbit in 1937, followed by The Lord of the Rings between 1954 and 1955. A devout Catholic and close friend of C. S. Lewis, he spent decades constructing a connected body of tales, poems, invented languages, and fictional histories set in a world called Arda and its continent Middle-earth - work he termed his legendarium. After his death on 2 September 1973, his son Christopher published The Silmarillion and other manuscripts, completing the architecture. The success of his two major works ignited mass interest in fantasy and precipitated an avalanche of new authors, earning him identification as the father of modern fantasy literature.

Country
United Kingdom
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1892 to 1973 · aged 81

In common with J.

Gene DeitchAlso in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (1967)Bo HanssonAlso in Sagan om ringen (1971)William L. SnyderAlso in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (1967)Hans Christian AndersenBoth received Prometheus Award - Hall of FameGeorge OrwellBoth received Prometheus Award - Hall of FameJ. K. RowlingBoth received Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel

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