JRR Tolkien Day

JRR Tolkien Day was created in honor of the brilliant British author who forever changed the fantasy genre. His works have inspired generations, and the number of his fans is impossible to count. If you’re already a Tolkien admirer, celebrate with us! If not, this is the perfect opportunity to discover the works of a literary legend.

History

J. R. R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in South Africa. His parents had moved there from England due to his father’s job. After his father died, Tolkien’s mother returned to England with her children and took charge of their education. She taught the young Tolkien to read and write, and he was an exceptionally gifted child. By age four, he was painting landscapes, learning about botany, and reading well. Books quickly became his greatest passion.

Tolkien’s life was full of events. He married a pianist, raised four children, served in World War I—including the Battle of the Somme—published scholarly works, and became a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He wrote The Hobbit for his own 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 Lord of the Rings trilogy. There was controversy over the title of the final volume—Tolkien was not happy with the publisher’s decision to call it The Return of the King, but he was unable to change their minds. Remarkably, few believed the books would succeed, and the publisher hoped only to recover the cost of publication.

Interesting Facts

Did you know:

• Tolkien strongly opposed Hitler and fascism and even refused to allow The Hobbit to be published in Nazi Germany;
• During World War II, Tolkien was offered a job as a codebreaker. He attended special training, but the government ultimately released him from service;
• He disliked cars and preferred to walk or ride his bicycle;
• In 1972, Tolkien was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

How to Take Part

On JRR Tolkien Day, dive into the author’s world—read his books, explore his poetry and biography, or watch film adaptations based on his works. Invite friends for a movie marathon or book club discussion!

When is JRR Tolkien Day in 2026?

JRR Tolkien Day is observed on January 3 each year.

Observations