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Table of Contents
J. R. R. Tolkien was the wildly imaginative author of The Lord of The Rings fame. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century, Tolkien’s talents were not limited to writing novels. He was also a poet, philologist, scholar, and university professor.
See the fact file below for more information on J. R. R. Tolkien, or you can download our 23-page J. R. R. Tolkien worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
Early Years
- John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa to parents Arthur and Mabel Tolkien.
- After his father died from complications of rheumatic fever, Tolkien, then four years old, moved to Birmingham, England together with his mother and brother, Hilary. His mother died in 1904 and the Tolkien brothers were sent to live with a relative and a Catholic priest who assumed guardianship.
- Tolkien went to King Edward’s School and later studied English and German languages and literature at Exeter College – Oxford, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1915 and masters degree in 1919.
- Tolkien later served as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War I and married his long-time love Edith Bratt in the midst of military service in 1916.
- After the War, Tolkien worked on the history of words of German origin in The New English Dictionary (now Oxford English Dictionary).
- Continuing his linguistic studies, Tolkien joined the faculty of the University of Leeds in 1920 and a few years later became a professor at Oxford University, where he taught English language and literature.
- During his stay at the university, he founded a literary group called The Inklings, which counted among its members C.S. Lewis and Owen Barfield.
The Hobbit
- Greatly fascinated by myths and legends, Tolkien spent lots of energy writing ingenious fantasy stories, and he even came up with new languages to be spoken by the elfish characters in his tales. It was also at Oxford, while grading a paper that he spontaneously wrote a short line about “a hobbit”.
- His highly acclaimed fantasy novel, The Hobbit, was published in 1937. It tells the story of a small, furry-footed hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his quest for treasure.
- Although regarded as a children’s book, Tolkien would argue that The Hobbit was not originally intended for children. Gaining an immense following, the book was published again, this time with more than 100 illustrations drawn by Tolkien to support the narrative.
- The book’s publisher had also convinced Tolkien to write a sequel to The Hobbit, which came after 17 long years in the form of The Lord of the Rings.
- Regarded as Tolkien’s masterpiece, it was partially inspired by ancient European mythologies, with its own sets of maps, lore, and languages.
- The series was published in three volumes namely The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers, and The Return of the King (1955). The books gave readers a rich literary trove populated by elves, goblins, talking trees, and all manner of fantastic creatures, including the wizard Gandalf and the dwarf Gimli.
- ‘The Rings’ trilogy has topped many lists and was named The Nation’s Best Loved Book by the BBC in 2003.
- The books were later adapted to film by New Zealand director Peter Jackson into a highly popular, award-winning trio of films starring Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, and Viggo Mortensen, among others from 2001 to 2003.
- Jackson also directed a three-part Hobbit movie adaptation starring Martin Freeman, which was released from 2012 to 2014.
- Many reviewers and waves upon waves of general readers took to Tolkien’s world, causing the books to become global bestsellers, with fans forming Tolkien clubs and learning his fictional languages.
Last Years and Legacy
- J.R.R. Tolkien retired from his professorial duties in 1959, going on to publish an essay and poetry collection, Tree and Leaf, and the fantasy tale Smith of Wootton Major.
- His wife Edith died in 1971, and Tolkien passed on September 2, 1973, at the age of 81. He was survived by four children.
- Tolkien’s noted works further include Farmer Giles of Ham (1949) and The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book (1962).
- Some of his incomplete work was finished by his son, Christopher, and was published posthumously, including the Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth (1980) and The Children of Húrin.
- The prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, was completed and published in 1977. It was the depiction of young Tolkien’s thirst for learning early languages and making up his own fantasy language.
- An anthology of Tolkien’s original illustrations was also published in 2012 to celebrate the novel’s 75th anniversary.
- Underscoring the enduring popularity of Tolkien’s famed fantasy world, in November 2017, online retail and entertainment behemoth Amazon announced that it had acquired the TV rights for the book series.
- In its statement, the company revealed plans to “explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring,” with the potential for a spinoff series, thereby exciting fans with the promise of a prequel to the familiar deeds of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and the rest.
J. R. R. Tolkien Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about J. R. R. Tolkien across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use J. R. R. Tolkien worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about J. R. R. Tolkien the wildly imaginative author of The Lord of The Rings fame. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century, Tolkien’s talents were not limited to writing novels. He was also a poet, philologist, scholar, and university professor.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Authors Online
- Meet The Hobbits
- Judge By The Book
- Tolkien and Friends
- Ancient ABCs
- The Hobbit’s Evolution
- Tolkien Talks
- Maps 101
- A Lack Of Color
- Secret Message
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is J.R.R. Tolkien?
J.R.R. Tolkien was an English writer, poet, and scholar. He is best known as the author of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” fantasy novels. He was born on January 3, 1892, and died on September 2, 1973. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University and of English Language and Literature at Merton College, Oxford.
What are some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s notable works?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s most notable works include:
- “The Hobbit” (1937)
- “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (1954-1955)
- “The Children of Hurin” (2007)
- “The Silmarillion” (1977)
- “Unfinished Tales” (1980)
What is J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing style?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing style is characterized by detailed world-building, richly detailed landscapes, and a strong sense of mythology. He was also known for his creation of unique languages and alphabets, and his use of mythology, folklore, and medieval literature as inspiration for his stories.
How has J.R.R. Tolkien’s work been received?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s work has been widely read and celebrated, both during his lifetime and after his death. “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” have become classic works of fantasy literature and have been adapted into several films, games, and other media. His work has also been the subject of much scholarly study and has had a significant influence on the fantasy genre.
How has J.R.R. Tolkien’s work influenced popular culture?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s work has had a significant influence on popular culture. His books have inspired a wide range of fantasy literature, films, games and other media. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit have become cultural phenomenon, and the world of Middle-earth has become a popular fantasy setting. His works have also been the source of inspiration for many fantasy writers, game developers, and film makers. Additionally, his work has also had a considerable influence on the development of the high fantasy genre, and has inspired a generation of fantasy writers, gamers and film-makers.
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