J. R. R. Tolkien was one of the most successful Catholic writers in the 20th century. His life, work, and faith continue to be an inspiration for people today.
You can teach about his life with the biography and reflection questions below or download and print the worksheet version of the biography and questions here:
J. R. R. Tolkien Biography
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born into an English family in 1892 while his father was working in South Africa. Tolkien’s father died when Ronald (J. R. R.) was three and his mother died when he was only twelve. Ronald and his brother were raised by a Roman Catholic priest friend named Father Francis until heading off to school. Ronald was an excellent student with a special love of languages. He married the love of his life, Edith, at the age of 21 and finished college before heading off to fight in the First World War. During the war he began to write poetry and compose medieval fantasy stories that would later serve as the foundation for Middle-earth and his popular fantasy novels. After the war he began his academic career in Oxford as a philologist, a scholar of languages. Tolkien started a writing group called the Inklings with a group of friends that included fellow-famous author C. S. Lewis. The conversations about God between Tolkien and Lewis led to Lewis’s conversion to Christianity. Tolkien wrote and published the largely successful book, The Hobbit, in 1937 while working as a professor and meeting with the Inklings. Nearly twenty years later, he finally published its sequel, the bestselling series of all time, The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien earned international fame by the time he retired as a professor and together with his wife, Edith, he enjoyed spending time with his four children and their grandchildren. His beloved wife died in 1971 and he passed away in 1973 as one of the most popular authors of the 20th century.
J. R. R. Tolkien Discussion and Reflection Questions
- How do you think Tolkien’s difficult childhood influenced his later writings?
- Which groups or teams help you become a better person today? How?
- How much does religion play a role in your life and interests today? Explain.
Download The Life of J. R. R. Tolkien Biography Worksheet
Download the J. R. R. Tolkien Worksheet, which includes three questions to help your students reflect on their lives in connection to the life of the pope.
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