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| J.R.R Tolkien with a Dwarf by Brothers Hildebrandt |
Born
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
3 January 1892
Height
Around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
J.R.R. Tolkien's appearance suggests that he was of above-average height.
Weight
Around 72 kg (159 lb) during his military days
Body Type
Tall and fit during his military days.
Spirit Animal
Raven
Ethnicity
English, ¹⁄₁₆th German
Father: English
Mother English
The Tolkien family originated in the East Prussian town of Kreuzburg near Königsberg -- present-day Kaliningrad, Russia -- a Russian exclave between Lithuania and Poland, where Tolkien's earliest-known paternal ancestor Michel Tolkien was born around 1620.
Several people with the surname Tolkien or similar spelling, some of them members of the same family as J. R. R. Tolkien, live in northern Germany, but most of them are descendants of people who evacuated East Prussia (the eastern part of present-day Germany) in 1945.
While J. R. R. Tolkien was aware of his family's German origin, his knowledge of the family's history was limited because he was "early isolated from the family of his prematurely deceased father".
Heritage
Tolkien was English and thought of himself as such.
Quotes
J.R.R. Tolkien on time.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
On moving on.
How do you move on? You move on when your heart finally understands that there is no turning back.
On strength which counts.
It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.
On on true education.
True education is a kind of never-ending story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.
On the good in the world.
There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.
Living by faith.
Living by faith includes the call to something greater than cowardly self-preservation.
The greatest adventure.
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
About J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien is certainly one of the greatest authors of all time. He has a hand in shaping the fantasy genre in literature and consequently, films to what it is today.
Tolkien's early life was marked by several significant events, including the death of his father when he was only three years old and the move to England with his mother and younger brother. He developed a passion for languages, literature, and mythology from an early age, showcasing a particular interest in medieval literature and ancient languages.
Tolkien served in World War I, where he witnessed the harsh realities of battle, which would later influence his writings. After the war, he worked as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Leeds and later as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. His academic career was distinguished, and he played a key role in the development of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Tolkien's literary fame began with the publication of "The Hobbit" in 1937. The success of this novel led to the creation of his epic fantasy trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings," which consists of "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King." Published in the 1950s, these works have become classics of modern fantasy literature.
"The Lord of the Rings" is renowned for its intricate world-building, complex characters, and deep themes that explore the nature of power, friendship, courage, and the battle between good and evil. Tolkien's ability to create detailed languages, such as Elvish and Dwarvish, further adds to the depth and richness of his fictional Middle-earth.
Tolkien's influence extends beyond literature, impacting the fantasy genre as a whole and inspiring numerous writers, filmmakers, and artists. His works have been adapted into successful film trilogies directed by Peter Jackson, introducing a new generation to the wonders of Middle-earth.
In addition to his fiction, Tolkien wrote numerous essays and academic papers, exploring topics ranging from linguistics to fairy tales. His dedication to crafting a mythology for England and his commitment to preserving ancient languages and storytelling traditions make J.R.R. Tolkien a figure of enduring significance in the world of literature.