J.R.R. Tolkien

Early Life

J.R.R. Tolkien was born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, which is now part of South Africa. His full name was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, but most people call him J.R.R. Tolkien. When he was a child, he loved nature, drawing, and reading stories.

After his father passed away, Tolkien moved to England with his mother and brother. His mother taught him at home and helped him love learning. Sadly, she died when he was young, but her care and lessons stayed with him forever.

School and Learning

Tolkien was very good at languages. He enjoyed learning how words worked and how languages changed over time. As a student, he learned Latin, Greek, and even made up his own languages for fun.

He later became a professor at the University of Oxford. There, he taught about old stories and languages, like Old English. Teaching and studying stories helped inspire his own writing.

Becoming a Famous Author

Tolkien loved telling stories to his children. One day, he wrote a sentence on a blank page: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” That sentence became the start of *The Hobbit*.

*The Hobbit* was published in 1937 and became very popular. Later, Tolkien wrote *The Lord of the Rings*, a much longer and deeper story set in the same world called Middle-earth.

Middle-earth

Middle-earth is filled with hobbits, elves, dwarves, wizards, and brave heroes. Tolkien carefully planned this world, including its maps, history, and languages. He wanted it to feel real, like a place you could visit.

Many readers love his stories because they show friendship, courage, and hope. The characters must make hard choices, but they try to do what is right.

Legacy

J.R.R. Tolkien passed away in 1973, but his stories are still loved today. His books have been read by millions of people around the world.

Movies based on his books have helped new fans discover Middle-earth. Tolkien is remembered as one of the greatest fantasy writers ever, and his imagination continues to inspire readers of all ages.