Who Was J. R. R. Tolkien?

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Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officer in World War I as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes and inventing languages in his work he demonstrated that imaginary realms were not just for children. Fondly remembered as the “Father of High Fantasy,” Tolkien’s books have inspired blockbuster movies and legions of fans.
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Who Was J. R. R. Tolkien?

Who Was J. R. R. Tolkien?

Deep inside a lonely mountain, a dragon sleeps on a mound of gold. Suddenly, he wakes. Someone has come to steal his treasure! Only a great warrior would do something so brave and foolish. Who dares to challenge him?

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Pam Pollack
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Meg Belviso
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Who HQ
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com More by Who HQ
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About the Author

Jonathan Moore
Jonathan Moore lives in Hawaii, with his wife, Maria. When he’s not writing, or fixing his boat, Jonathan is an attorney at a Honolulu firm. Before completing law school in New Orleans, he was an English teacher, a white-water raft guide on the Rio Grande, a counselor at a Texas wilderness camp for juvenile delinquents, and an investigator for a criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C. His first novel, Redheads, was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. More by Jonathan Moore
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