J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over sixty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.
"""Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron."" -- C.S. Lewis ""Destined to outlast our time."" The New York Herald-Tribune ""Exciting... Mr. Tolkien's invention is unflagging"" -- W.H. Auden --"