J.R.R. Tolkien was much more than just an author. In fact, he is a war veteran, a veteran from World War 1. John Reuel Tolkien enlisted in World War 1, and fought in the worst battle of World War 1, that being the Battle of Somme: he saw the carnage and bloodshed first hand, too. He had a group of friends to keep him better, though, and get him through the hard years of war: but during the battle, all of his friends were killed. All except John Reuel Tolkien himself. Eventually, Tolkien got a terrible disease known as Trench Fever, and was sent back. With all his problems on his weary shoulders, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit. After that success, he decided he would write another book, and after 17 years of painful writing he produced one of the best book series ever written: The Lord of the Rings.

He died by old age in 1973

This man inspires me to write, to be a better person, and to always keep an open, imaginative mind.

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thanks!!