J.R.R. Tolkien's life in pictures

The works of British author and linguist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known as J. R. R. are among the most successful in literary history. Since their publication, the tales from Middle-earth have captivated millions of people, both in book format and in movies.

Little J. R. R., just 11 months old in this picture, was born in South Africa. His father died when he was three, prompting the family to move to England. His mother died eight years later, when J. R. R. was only 12. The orphaned brothers were placed in the care of a priest who was a friend of the family.

Tolkien grew up in a rural suburb of the English industrial city of Birmingham. The idyllic landscape in which he spent his childhood and youth was the inspiration for the Shire. He was an excellent student, interested in languages, literature and poetry. In Birmingham he also met his future wife, Edith, whom he married in March 1916.

During his studies at Oxford, Tolkien deepened his interest in languages and Old English literature. He spoke Latin and Greek fluently, and also learned Gothic, Welsh and Finnish. His enthusiasm for languages was so great that he began to invent his own languages during his studies.

Newly married, Tolkien was called to the front in July 1916. He fought in the biggest battle of WWI on the Somme in France. For months he was at the front and saw first-hand death and the soldiers' misery. Many of his dearest school friends lost their lives during the fighting. When he fell ill with trench fever, he was sent to the hospital and began to write while in the infirmary.

After the war, Tolkien worked as a lecturer and then as a professor of linguistics and literature. In 1937, his fantasy novel "The Hobbit" was published and became a hit. This work, as well as the "Lord of the Rings" series made him the writer of the century and a cult figure, even in his lifetime.

Tolkien spent around 15 years writing "Lord of the Rings," a complex story about a ring, hobbits, elves and dwarfs, evil forces, dangerous orcs and trolls, set in the fantasy realm of Middle-earth. The novel is one of the best-selling books of all time. The film adaptations, released 2001-2003, were awarded a total of 17 Oscars and earned billions of US dollars.

In the last years of his life, Tolkien worked on the "Silmarillion," the prequel to "Lord of the Rings," which details the history of Middle-earth. But he died before he could finish it. At his request, the work was posthumously revised, completed and published by his son Christopher.

Tolkien died in 1973, two years after his wife Edith. The pair were buried together in Oxford, England. The names Beren and Luthien are written on their gravestone, which are the names of lovers from Tolkien's fantasy world. Tolkien once said that his love for his wife inspired him to create these two characters.