Tolkien, J.R.R.Tol‧kien, J.R.R. /ˈtɒlkiːn $ ˈtɑːl-/(1892–1973) a British writer and university teacher, known for his novels for children (which are also popular with adults) about imaginary characters who live in a strange, magical world, especially Thehobbit, and Thelord of the rings