Bio Sketch of J. R. R. Tolkien, Author of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Link to my Wizzley web page about J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien. Created a biographical sketch from a few fascinating, funny and ordinary facts about this reclusive writer/scholar/mythmaker.

Sample fun fact:  

• On an official questionnaire used for army records, in response to the question, what was his father's profession, Mick Tolkien filled in the blank with the word: WIZARD.

J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973)

The artwork is by The Brothers Hildebrandt

"The One Ring" Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas by The Brothers Hildebrandt! Numbered and Hand Signed by Greg Hildebrandt! Includes Certificate of Authenticity!

Related links

Do You Dare Go Dowsing for Graves?

Gravestones are fascinating historical markers.  But not all graves are marked.  The history of those buried is lost.  Or not!

“Some people use the term “dowsing” while others use “divining” or “witching”. All three terms mean the same thing.”  Some say dowsing is pseudoscience and does not work.  Nevertheless people earnestly dowse for graves in certain areas where bodies are believed to be, but the burial spot or final resting place has become lost because they are unmarked. Volunteers for history societies often dowse for graves; and there are others who have their reasons.   

• Read more: Old Cemeteries and Grave Dowsing | Wizzley.com

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If you like reading articles like the one referenced above you will love this book!

Funerals to Die For:The Craziest, Creepiest, and Most BizarreFuneral Traditions and Practices Ever

What Does It Mean to Be Described as a Renaissance Man (or Woman)?

When one is referred to (fancies themselves) as a Renaissance man (or woman), it usually means that they have enough knowledge and understanding in a wide range of fields of study such that others might request their consultation.

In European history, the Renaissance period is from about the 14th century to the 16th or 17th century, A.D. During this time, there was a return to ideas derived from the ancient Greco-Roman culture, and an enthusiastic renewal of interests in the arts and in science. In other words, the people were coming out of the dark. The historical period before the Renaissance has often been referred to as the Dark Ages.

No doubt the names of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and William Shakespeare are very recognizable. Knowing their achievements and accomplishments, one has no doubt why they were all considered Renaissance men. But are the names of these men recognizable? Francesco Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, Francois Rabelais, and Desiderius Erasmus.

• Francesco Petrarch has been called the Father of the Italian Renaissance and the Father of Humanism (a belief in the greatness of man). He was the one who originated the concept of a “Dark Age”.
• Giovanni Boccaccio wrote the first collection of biographies devoted entirely to women.
• Francois Rabelais has had his writings described as “grotesque humor”. This quote is attributed to him. “Tell the truth and shame the devil.”
• Desiderius Erasmus was a scholar who wrote satires that pointed towards the abuses of the Catholic church. Though they both pointed to aspects of the church in need of reformation, he and Martin Luther didn’t see eye-to-eye either.

These are men who were and are deemed by others to be Renaissance men, back in their day alongside their contemporaries and even in our present times.

Compared to these guys, if someone were to ask you ~ “Are you a Renaissance man (or woman)? ~ how would you answer?

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REF: Fox, Treathyl. “Are You a Renaissance Man?”. Wizzley.com, 10 Aug. 2013.

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Related Content:

Are You a Renaissance Man or Woman? - Express Yourself! - Medium

Build Your Own Private Renaissance Library. - My Blog Stop!

Content previously published at Virily.com

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DID YOU KNOW?

• The printing press was the invention that marked the beginning of the Renaissance.
• Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011) has been described as a Renaissance man. Do you agree with that characterization?

“Renaissance Impostors and Proofs of Identity” by Miriam Eliav-Feldon ~ https://t.co/lD7eL1F6TM ~During the #Renaissance there were royal pretenders, fake ambassadors from imaginary lands, religious dissimulators, etc. #identitytheft #imposters #whoareyou ~Fascinating #History! pic.twitter.com/ljqBCQy0sU

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 8, 2018

Artists I Fancy: A Brief Intro to Impressionism

The term “impressionism” was first used in 1874, and its initial usage was not very complimentary. A critic was making a sarcastic remark about one of Monet's landscape paintings. Not allowing an unfavorable judgment to cramp his style, Claude Monet (1840 – 1926), working with Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919), developed the technique of broken-color painting. These two artists are recognized as the founders of the art form known as Impressionism.  Others who were also a part of the group known as impressionist painters include: Édouard Manet (1832 – 1883), Jacob Camille Pissarro (1831 – 1903), Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906), and Edgar Hilaire Germain Degas (1834 – 1917).

Monet and Renoir Plus The Others

Claude Monet art        Pierre Renoir art 

Claude Monet’s colorful gardens pic.twitter.com/WPQ25Rivg9

— l’art est une étoile (@syiphee) May 3, 2020

New Art History Video! Oscar-Claude Monet! Watch it here! #arthistory #monet #impressionism #finearts #artblog #artvideo https://t.co/lmZbBvxaaH pic.twitter.com/GyXg0vE80r

— Brian Sloan Art (@BrianSloanArt) November 17, 2018

#Art-History #Art-Oil #Canvas-Art #Canvas-Paintings #Oil-Paint #art https://t.co/ft4lgfsxcw Pierre-Auguste Renoir The Artists Family 1896 pic.twitter.com/dejNLdnuwQ

— Art Photography (@decorationsart) May 16, 2017

"Monet Painting in his Garden at Argenteuil" is a painting by the French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir and shows his friend Claude Monet, with whom he worked together outdoors.#arthistory #impressionism #19thcentury #painters #friendship pic.twitter.com/oMN2ExbFsF

— Lady Aviendha (@KunstundSterne) February 3, 2019

The top six Impressionist painters in art history: https://t.co/EVeYCPtYOk pic.twitter.com/VirHXHUPpS

— Time Out New York (@TimeOutNewYork) December 5, 2016

#BertheMorisot, “Woman Impressionist,” Emerges from the Margins @the_barnes: The most interesting artist of her generation has been not so much underrated in standard art history as not rated at all https://t.co/f5MRDOFQB1 pic.twitter.com/qg8E1msgN0

— Women in the Arts (NMWA) (@WomenInTheArts) November 9, 2018

One of the most famous figures in art history, who never seems to go out of style is Vincent Van Gogh. His characteristic style is still inspiring artists every day. Collect these post-impressionist works! https://t.co/7xAQ1Si3m5 pic.twitter.com/u8AB2hoPUd

— Artspace (@artspace) October 28, 2019

Where To Find Fascinating Facts About Classic Fairy Tales

Did you know that many of the classic fairy tales that we read today were not originally written that way?

By Léon Carré (Livre des 1001 nuits) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Do you believe that wonderful and interesting people and places exist all around the world? So do I. Based on my virtual travels, Slovenians seem to be my kind of people! Why do I say that? Mainly because of Tolovaj.com (aka “Tolovaj Wordsmith“), a small publishing house in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that specializes in publishing literature for children as its primary line of business. As a secondary business project, they delve into the under-reported history behind many of the classic fairy tales and share the fascinating results of their research.

• Did you know the first edition of Grimm’s original story, “The Frog Prince”, was not even intended for a child audience?
• Do you know the true symbolism and history behind the fairy tales, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Little Red Riding Hood”?
• Sure most of us know about Aesop’s fables. But do we know Aesop?

Many of the Tolovaj articles are on display at their blogs or at online writing communities like Zujava, HUBPages, and Wizzley. On display? Yes. Take a look and you will agree that the research findings are presented to the reader in such a way that not only is it very enjoyable reading but the accompanying artwork turn the pages into visually stunning masterpieces.

Aren’t you a little curious about the real story behind all those stories collectively known today as “1001 Arabian Nights”?

'Contemporary crime novels have the monopoly on moral ambiguity - but fairy tales take no prisoners and often offer no redemption.' @CrimeReads looks at the connection between #fairytales and classic crime stories. https://t.co/bKWSmvA5Lm

— The Folio Society (@foliosociety) June 4, 2019

First Books in Every Child's Library Should Be Fairy Taleshttps://t.co/WV5fIQk5Mb

For the first tender years of my life (ages birth to 7 years), I grew up in the James E. Scott Community Housing Projects. Folks who lived there just called it “the projects”. My older siblings … pic.twitter.com/Pr1831Uud3

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 10, 2020

Whatever happened after happily ever after? This thrilling collection of classic fairy tales answers the question, each story going deeper into the fanciful creations the world has loved and shared over the centuries. https://t.co/kO14yQUXbU #FolkTales #JohnHopeWriting pic.twitter.com/05YHPfCsqr

— Affaire de Coeur Book Review Magazine (@affairedecoeurc) April 17, 2020

The Gruesome Origins of 10 Classic Fairy Tales. https://t.co/85RobCl8Io pic.twitter.com/LDvTJDkLIp

— AMORQ ?￰ﾟﾇﾸ (@amorqcom) April 15, 2020