JRR Tolkien Day

JRR Tolkien Day was created in honor of the brilliant British writer who gave the world many bestsellers, without which it is now difficult to imagine the fantasy genre. It is impossible to count the number of his admirers. If you are one of them, celebrate the holiday with us. If not yet, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the work of a great man!

History

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in South Africa. His parents moved to the country from England due to a promotion. His father died early, so his mother, who had another child, had to return to England. She took charge of his education, teaching the future writer to read and write. He was a gifted child; at the age of 4, he painted landscapes, knew about botany, and could read well. Books were his main passion.

He led a bright and eventful life. He married a pianist, had four children, participated in the First World War, fought in the Battle of the Somme, wrote scientific papers, and became a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He composed “The Hobbit” for his young children, and it was published in 1937.

“The Fellowship of the Ring” was published in England on July 29, 1954, followed by the rest of the trilogy. Serious controversy arose with the latter: Tolkien did not approve of the publisher’s decision to call it “The Return of the King,” but he could not change their minds. It is noteworthy that no one initially believed in the success of the books, and the publisher hoped to recoup the cost of materials minimally.

Interesting Facts

Did you know:

• The writer had a negative attitude towards Hitler and fascism in general and even wanted to ban “The Hobbit” in Germany;
• During World War II, he was offered the role of a codebreaker. He attended special courses, but ultimately, the government released him from service;
• Tolkien had a negative attitude towards cars, preferring walking or cycling;
• In 1972, he received the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about the writer’s work on JRR Tolkien Day! Read his biography, poems, and books. Watch film adaptations of his works! Invite your friends to watch your favorite movies.

When is JRR Tolkien Day in 2025?

JRR Tolkien Day is observed on January 3 each year.

Observations