J.R.R. Tolkien
Ok, so, aside from defining an entire literary genre (high fantasy) and creating one of the most intricate, and epic stories of our time (Lord of the Ring), Mr. John Ronald Rueul Tolkien was born in South Africa. He suffered from horrible arachnophobia, potentially brought on by being bitten by a huge "baboon" spider as a kid. If it sounds intimidating, it is... look at that thing!
Tolkien had a totally Victorian, torrid relationship with his wife prior to marrying, including forbidding parents, another fiance, and rekindling their relationship beneath a railway trestle. Sounds like a movie in the making! Or an episode of Downton Abbey.I'm sure many of us have read Tolkien, but I always love hearing how LOTR impacts people. Anyone got any good Tolkien stories?
