A Legend worth Living Of the many prominent English writers in recent history, one that certainly stands out is John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. A specialist in Old and Middle English at the University of Oxford, Tolkien is remembered as professor, scholar, and storyteller (Doughan). Particularly, his series The Hobbit, as well as its sequel, The Lord of the Rings, earned him great fame and success. Honored by many and loved by literally millions, Tolkien’s work is often considered the greatest of the twentieth century (Doughan).
Born on January 3, 1892, Tolkien considered himself thoroughly English, despite his birthplace in Bloemfontein, South Africa (Bramlett). He remembered little of his life there, as he, his mother, and his younger brother …show more content…
Eventually, he became appointed as the Assistant Lexicographer on the New English Dictionary that was in preparation, and later on he returned to Oxford once more, this time as a professor (Doughan). During this time, he not only advanced his career as a writer, but also bore children with Edith, writing the children Christmas letters from Santa and telling them some of his stories at bedtime (Doughan). Later on, he helped form a loose group of Oxford pals under the name of “The Inklings”, who often met to merrily converse, drink, and convey their works-in-progress …show more content…
This unfortunately was determined to be “commercially unpublishable”, but at the same time, the public was adamant in their desire for a sequel to the legendary story he had spun (Doughan). Disappointed in the failure of Quenta Silmarillion, Tolkien nonetheless decided to accept the challenge of “The New Hobbit”, a tale that evolved into much more than just a children’s story (Doughan). Sixteen years and a highly complex development process later, and The Lord of the Rings finally hit the shelves, enthralling millions, and effectively cementing his place among the most prestigious and loved writers in all of England
Born on January 3, 1892, Tolkien considered himself thoroughly English, despite his birthplace in Bloemfontein, South Africa (Bramlett). He remembered little of his life there, as he, his mother, and his younger brother …show more content…
Eventually, he became appointed as the Assistant Lexicographer on the New English Dictionary that was in preparation, and later on he returned to Oxford once more, this time as a professor (Doughan). During this time, he not only advanced his career as a writer, but also bore children with Edith, writing the children Christmas letters from Santa and telling them some of his stories at bedtime (Doughan). Later on, he helped form a loose group of Oxford pals under the name of “The Inklings”, who often met to merrily converse, drink, and convey their works-in-progress …show more content…
This unfortunately was determined to be “commercially unpublishable”, but at the same time, the public was adamant in their desire for a sequel to the legendary story he had spun (Doughan). Disappointed in the failure of Quenta Silmarillion, Tolkien nonetheless decided to accept the challenge of “The New Hobbit”, a tale that evolved into much more than just a children’s story (Doughan). Sixteen years and a highly complex development process later, and The Lord of the Rings finally hit the shelves, enthralling millions, and effectively cementing his place among the most prestigious and loved writers in all of England