John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (January 3, 1892 - September 2, 1973) was born in what is now called Free State Province in South Africa, but then known as the Orange Free State. He was called Ronald by his family. His father died when Tolkien was three years old, and his mother took him to live with her mother and father in Kings Heath, Birmingham. Best known for his books "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." He joined the British military in 1915 as a lieutenant, and his journey on a troop transport to the front inspired his poem "The Lonely Isle." He fought in several key battles before contracting trench fever in October of 1916. He married his long-time love Edith, in 1916, after years of separation due to his age and the wishes of his guardian. Together, he and Edith had four children.
Regular Blogs
Middle-earth & R.R.R. Tolkien Blog
Discussions here include topics such as the Hobbit and other writings, the movies which were made from those writings, insights into Middle-earth, and interviews with Tolkien scholars. Also asks numerous food-for-thought questions such as how magic is different in Harry Potter's world and Middle-earth.
http://middle-earth.xenite.org
Hosted and maintained by the Tolkien Society, an educational charitable literary society and fan club devoted to Tolkien, this weblog publishes posts about the author's life and writings, keeps tabs of references to him, and promotes his languages.
http://www.tolkiensociety.org/blog/
While the stated topic of this weblog is “The Lord of the Rings,” other of the author's writings are discussed as well. He also discusses "The Hobbit," and the journey from book to movie script.
http://tolkiengeek.blogspot.com/
