J.R.R. Tolkien - an unusual life

A family picture on a postcard with little John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (right), just 11 months old. It was shot in South Africa, his country of birth. After his father died, his mother moved to England, taking him and his younger brother along with her. Eight years later, when Tolkien was only 12 years old, his mother died, and the two brothers were taken care of by a priest.

Tolkien grew up in a rural suburb of the British industrial city of Birmingham. The idyllic landscape there served as a model for the homeland of the Hobbits. A proficient student, Tolkien was interested in languages, literature and poetry. It was in Birmingham that he met his later wife Edith, and they married in March 1916.

During his studies in Oxford, Tolkien continued to study languages and classical English literature. He spoke Latin and Greek fluently and learned Gothic, Welsh and Finnish. With his enthusiasm for languages, he even invented his own.

Newly wed, Tolkien was ordered to the front in July 1916 to fight in the biggest battle of WW I at the Somme. He had to endure endless months in dugouts, witnessing the suffering and death of numerous soldiers. Taking ill with "dugout fever," he had to be taken to a military hospital. Shocked by the horrors of war and impressed by the perseverance of soldiers he began to write there.

After the war, Tolkien was active as a lecturer and later as a professor of linguistics and literature while writing during his free time. His fantasy novel "The Hobbit," published in 1937, was a huge success. A short time later he began work on the novels which made him one of the century's major authors. Despite his success, he always considered writing a hobby.

Tolkien worked on "The Lord of the Rings" for 15 years, refining his story on the highly complex fantasy empire. His series of novels fascinated millions of readers and become among the bestselling books of all times. Film adaptations of "The Lord of the Rings" were awarded 17 Oscars, with box office receipts over $3 billion.

John Ronald Tolkien spent the last years of his life working on "Silmarillion," which tells of the events leading to the narrative "The Lord of the Rings." But before completing his work, he died. Following his wish, his son Christopher reworked, completed and published the unfinished stories.

Tolkien, a devout Catholic, died in 1973, two years after his wife. They were both buried at this cemetery in Oxford. Written on their gravestone are the names Beren and Lúthien - lovers in Tolkien's fantasy world. He was inspired to create these two characters by his love for his wife.