Raise a glass to JRR Tolkien on his twelfty-sixth birthday

The Tolkien Society invites Lord of the Rings fans to drink a toast today for the man they call simply "the Professor".

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor

Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.

Expertise Films, TV, Movies, Television, Technology

See full bio

Richard Trenholm

Jan. 3, 2018 5:27 a.m. PT

Martin Freeman with Lego version — Surround yourself with friends and toast to Tolkien.
The Hobbit

All around the world today, Lord of the Rings fans will raise a glass in honour of "the professor".

3 January is the birthday of legendary author JRR Tolkien. To celebrate, the Tolkien Society invites fans of the books and films set in Middle-earth to drink a toast at 9 p.m. local time, and share a snap on social media with the hashtag #TolkienBirthdayToast.

Author of seminal fantasy novels including "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," Tolkien was widely regarded as the father of modern high fantasy. He was born 126 years ago in 1892, which makes today his twelfty-sixth birthday. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Farewell to Middle-earth: celebrate 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' (pictures)

+39 More

See all photos

Following Peter Jackson's epic films based on Tolkien's work, Amazon will soon take us back to Middle-earth with a television adaptation. We'll drink to that. But please drink responsibly... and watch out for unexpected adventures.

Star Wars at 40: Join us in celebrating the many ways the Force-filled sci-fi saga has impacted our lives.

The Smartest Stuff: Innovators are thinking up new ways to make you -- and the world around you -- smarter.