John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a major scholar of the English language, specializing in Old and Middle English. He was twice appointed Professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford. As a writer, he is best known for his high fantasy works, including The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955). These stories are set in an imaginative world called Middle-earth, inhabited by Men, Elves, Dwarves, Trolls, Orcs, and Hobbits.

Tolkien's influence on the genre was profound, and he is often called the "father" of modern fantasy literature. His works have been adored by millions worldwide and have inspired countless authors and works in the fantasy genre.

From 1925 to 1945, Tolkien was the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon and a Fellow of Pembroke College, both at the University of Oxford. He then became the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature and Fellow of Merton College, holding these positions until his retirement in 1959. Tolkien was a close friend of C. S. Lewis and a member of the informal literary group known as The Inklings.

In 1972, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Following his death, his son Christopher Tolkien published several of his unpublished manuscripts, further expanding the mythology of Middle-earth.

His work set off a newfound interest in fantasy literature, making it a popular genre worldwide.