Tom Shippey is a British scholar and author, best known for his works on medieval literature and his expertise on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Born in 1943, he studied at the University of Cambridge and later held academic positions at several universities, including the University of Leeds and Saint Louis University. Shippey's contributions to Tolkien studies are highly regarded, and he has written extensively on the subject, including well-known books such as "The Road to Middle-earth" and "J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century." His work explores the literary and linguistic aspects of Tolkien's writings, placing them within the broader context of medieval literature and exploring their enduring appeal. Shippey also has an interest in science fiction and fantasy literature more generally, and has written on various related topics throughout his career.