J. R. R. Tolkien

The original authorised biography of one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century, J. R. R. Tolkien by Humphrey Carpenter, takes an in-depth look into the life of the creator of Middle-earth. Celebrating Tolkien’s 125th Anniversary, this edition is a treasured account of the author's life, written by the only biographer who personally knew him.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, born in Bloemfontein in January 1892, led a life marked by both tragedy and triumph. Orphaned at a young age and raised in near-poverty, Tolkien faced numerous adversities, including a thwarted adolescent romance. During the First World War, he served valiantly and survived the Battle of the Somme, a conflict that claimed the lives of many of his close friends. Following the war, he immersed himself in academia, establishing a distinguished career as a scholar and educator, and eventually became the Merton Professor of English at Oxford University.

The trajectory of Tolkien’s life took an extraordinary turn while he was marking examination papers. This seemingly mundane activity gave birth to one of literature’s most iconic sentences: ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.’ This was the beginning of a journey that would lead to the creation of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, works that garnered him worldwide acclaim and a devoted fan base.

Humphrey Carpenter, equipped with unrestricted access to Tolkien's personal papers, as well as interviews with his friends and family, paints a comprehensive and intimate portrait of the master storyteller. Through Carpenter's meticulous research and engaging narrative, readers gain profound insights into Tolkien's creative process and the personal experiences that influenced his timeless masterpieces. Discover the story behind the man who brought to life the enchanting realms of hobbits, elves, and wizards, and delve into the painstaking journey that transformed a humble Oxford professor into a literary legend.

By examining not just the milestones but also the mundane aspects of Tolkien’s life, Carpenter's biography brings readers closer to the private individual behind the public figure. For anyone who has ever been captivated by the rich and fantastical worlds Tolkien created, J. R. R. Tolkien by Humphrey Carpenter is an indispensable addition to their literary collection.