J.R.R. Tolkien was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor who is best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. He was born in South Africa in 1892 and moved to England at the age of four. He was an Oxford professor of Anglo-Saxon and English literature, specializing in Old and Middle English. He was also a close friend of C.S. Lewis and a member of the literary group known as the Inklings. Tolkien's works have been adapted into films, television series, video games, and comic books. His books have sold over 150 million copies and have been translated into over 50 languages. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time and has had a profound influence on the fantasy genre. His works have been praised for their depth of characterization, intricate world-building, and use of language. He is also credited with popularizing the genre of high fantasy and inspiring generations of readers and writers.