J.R.R Tolkien-Author of the Lord of the Rings

When he was old

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was a major scholar of the English language, specializing in old and middle English. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford, before writing  a number of fantastic stories. In the 1960's he was taken up by many members of the nascent(counter-culture) largely because of his concern with environmental issues. In 1997, he came on top of three British polls, organised by Channel 4/Waterstone's, the Folio Society and SFX, the UK's leading science fiction media magazine among knowledgeable readers asked to vote for the greatest book of the 20th century. 

Three interesting facts

-He came on top in three British polls in English Literature

-He taught at the University of Oxford

-He has events named after him such as Tolkien Day

Here is a photo when he was young