J.R.R. Tolkien
- Born:
- January 3, 1892, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (present-day South Africa)
- Died:
- September 2, 1973, Bournemouth, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Author, Poet, Philologist, University Professor
Early Life and Education
- Born John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
- Moved to England with his mother and brother after his father's death.
- Experienced a challenging childhood, marked by early loss.
- Educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, and Exeter College, Oxford.
- Served in the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War I.
Career and Major Achievements
- Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University (1925-1945).
- Merton Professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford University (1945-1959).
- Developed a rich and complex mythology that served as the foundation for his fictional works.
Notable Works
- The Hobbit (1937)
- The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955)
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
- The Silmarillion (published posthumously, 1977)
- Farmer Giles of Ham (1949)
Legacy and Impact
J.R.R. Tolkien is regarded as the "father of modern fantasy literature." His intricate world-building, detailed languages, and epic storytelling have had a profound and lasting influence on the genre. Many modern fantasy authors, particularly those exploring complex moral themes, are influenced by his work. Interestingly, the study of other historical figures known for their strong moral convictions, such as the exploration of fantasy authors with biography of Mahatma Gandhi, highlight similar interests in how individuals can affect meaningful social change through their choices.
C.S. Lewis
- Born:
- November 29, 1898, Belfast, Ireland (present-day Northern Ireland)
- Died:
- November 22, 1963, Oxford, England
- Nationality:
- British (Northern Irish)
- Profession(s):
- Author, Poet, Academic, Christian Apologist
Early Life and Education
- Born Clive Staples Lewis.
- Educated by private tutors and later at Malvern College.
- Served in the British Army during World War I.
- Studied Classics and Philosophy at University College, Oxford.
Career and Major Achievements
- Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford (1925-1954).
- Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English Literature at Cambridge University (1954-1963).
- Well-known for his Christian apologetics and allegorical writing.
Notable Works
- The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Horse and His Boy
- The Magician's Nephew
- The Last Battle
- Mere Christianity (1952)
- The Screwtape Letters (1942)
- Out of the Silent Planet (1938)
- Perelandra (1943)
- That Hideous Strength (1945)
Legacy and Impact
C.S. Lewis's works continue to be widely read and studied for their insightful exploration of faith, morality, and the human condition. His ability to blend fantasy with theological themes has made his writings accessible and thought-provoking for generations. Like many fantasy authors with biography of Mahatma Gandhi often explore themes of social responsibility within their narratives, Lewis' works also explore the individual's role in a wider world.