J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien, Oxford philologist and professor, reshaped the fantasy genre with his literary opus. His works, including "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," established a fantastical world rich in linguistic invention and narrative depth, alongside his son's posthumous publication of "The Silmarillion." A member of the Inklings and a close friend of C. S. Lewis, Tolkien's academic career spanned prestigious chairs in Anglo-Saxon and English literature. His creation of Middle-earth earned him recognition as the father of high fantasy, a mantle confirmed by his enduring influence on the genre and his ranking among Britain's greatest post-war writers.