After seeing that they were releasing a box set of The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Editions (by Alan Lee) I just knew I had to get my hands on it! It was luckily released the day before payday so I instantly bought it and waited by the door for a week for it to be delivered.
J.R.R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known to the world as J.R.R. Tolkien, was a visionary writer whose imagination shaped the landscape of modern fantasy literature. Born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Tolkien spent much of his early life in England, where he developed a deep love for languages, mythology, and storytelling.
After serving in World War I, Tolkien pursued an academic career, specializing in philology and Old English literature. His scholarly expertise in languages, particularly Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse, greatly influenced his creative endeavors and laid the foundation for the intricate mythologies and languages of his fictional worlds.
Tolkien's literary masterpiece, The Hobbit, was published in 1937 and introduced readers to the enchanting world of Middle-earth, populated by hobbits, wizards, elves, dwarves, and other fantastical creatures. However, it was his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, published in three volumes between 1954 and 1955, that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time.
Set in a meticulously crafted universe filled with richly detailed histories, cultures, and languages, The Lord of the Rings trilogy follows the epic quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. Tolkien's masterful storytelling, vivid imagery, and profound themes of heroism, friendship, and the struggle against evil captivated readers worldwide and inspired generations of fantasy authors.
In addition to his fiction writing, Tolkien was a respected academic and a devoted family man. He held various academic positions throughout his career, including as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University, where he wrote seminal works on Beowulf and Middle English literature.
Tolkien's influence extends far beyond the realm of literature, shaping the landscape of popular culture and inspiring countless adaptations, including films, video games, and works of art. His legacy as the "father of modern fantasy" continues to resonate with readers of all ages, inviting them to explore the boundless realms of imagination that he so brilliantly brought to life.
J.R.R. Tolkien passed away on September 2, 1973, but his timeless works and enduring legacy ensure that his spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of readers around the world, forever enchanted by the magic of Middle-earth.
Bibliography
- The Hobbit (1937)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (1954)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (1955)
- The Silmarillion (1977, posthumously published)
- Unfinished Tales (1980, posthumously published)
- The Children of Húrin (2007, completed by Christopher Tolkien)
- The History of Middle-earth series (12 volumes, edited by Christopher Tolkien, published between 1983 and 1996)
- The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book (1962)
- The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (1981, edited by Humphrey Carpenter)
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Art of Lord of The Rings
Pretty much anyone who knows me, knows how much I love The Lord of the Rings. I have watched the extended edition films over and over again. I’ve also had the books for a good ten years, my copies look slightly battered now. I was lucky enough to get The Art of Lord of the … View Post