The hobbit is a tale about..well...a hobbit who goes on an adventure with dwarves. This is the prelude to "The Lord Of The Rings".
J.R.R Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3rd, 1892 in Bloemfontein South Africa. He served in "The Great War" (WWI) he then went on an academic career. He became a professor and went to college. He made the Lord of the rings trilogy, but it started with this book. He died at the age of 81, on September 2 1973. (Source of info: The back cover inside of The Hobbit)