J. R. R. Tolkien

Full Name: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (Ronald)
Profession: Writer and Academic

Nationality:

Biography: Although J. R. R. Tolkien spent most of his working life as an academic, he is most famous today as the author of the epic fantasy novels "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings".

Tolkien's academic areas of expertise were Old and Middle English and early European mythology and he drew on this knowledge to create his fantasy worlds, including inventing his own elvish languages.

Tolkien wrote his fantasy tales in his own time and mostly for his own amusement. From 1930 he came up with lighter versions of his stories for his children, resulting in "The Hobbit" his first book, published in 1937 and centering on the adventures of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

17 years later Tolkien published the darker and much longer "The Lord of the Rings" (1954) in three parts. It is one of the best-selling novels ever, selling over 150 million copies. Film director Peter Jackson produced a successful film trilogy of the novels (2001-2003) which won 17 Academy Awards.

Born: January 3, 1892
Birthplace: Bloemfontein, South Africa

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: September 2, 1973 (aged 81)
Cause of Death: An ulcer

Married Life

1916-03-22 British author of "The Lord of the Rings", J.R.R. Tolkien marries Edith Mary Bratt at St. Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Warwick

Historical Events

1937-09-21 J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is published by George Allen and Unwin in London
1954-07-29 Publication of "Fellowship of the Ring" 1st volume of "Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien by George Allen and Unwin in London
1954-11-11 Publication of "Two Towers", 2nd volume of "Lord of the Rings", by J. R. R. Tolkien by George Allen and Unwin in London
1955-10-20 Publication of "The Return of the King", the 3rd and final volume of "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien by George Allen and Unwin in London
2001-12-10 "The Fellowship of the Ring" Lord of the Rings film directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen premieres in London
2001-12-19 "The Fellowship of the Ring", 1st Lord of the Rings film is released. Makes US$47 million US opening weekend, $871 million total worldwide.
2002-02-24 55th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs): "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Best Film, Peter Jackson Best Director
2002-12-05 "The Two Towers" 2nd Lord of the Rings film directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen premieres in New York
2002-12-18 "The Two Towers", 2nd of the Lord of the Rings films is released. Makes US$62 opening weekend and $926 million total worldwide.
2003-12-01 "The Return of the King", 3rd and final film in the Lord of the Rings series, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen premieres in Wellington, New Zealand
2004-01-10 9th Critics' Choice Movie Awards: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wins Best Film
2004-01-25 61st Golden Globes: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", Sean Penn, and Charlize Theron win
2004-02-15 57th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" Best Film, Peter Weir Best Director
2004-02-29 76th Academy Awards: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Sean Penn & Charlize Theron win
2017-06-01 “Beren and Lúthien,” compiled and edited by Christopher Tolkien from his father J.R.R. Tolkien's archives is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2022-09-01 TV Series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" premieres on Amazon Prime Video