Highly-imaginative English author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Born in Lower Saxony, Tolkien comes from the German word for foolhardy.
His books have been turned into epic films directed by the great Peter Jackson.
Married Edith Mary Bratt after a love letter dissuaded her from marrying another man.
One of his best friends was C.S. Lewis, and both were affiliates of the Inklings, an unofficial literary discussion group.