Who is J.R.R. Tolkien in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien by J.R.R. Tolkien?

JRR Tolkien is the author of the letters. He is a 20th century man. This shows in a variety of ways. While these are obvious within that timeframe, if anything it will only be even more obvious given a few centuries of perspective. The man is English, and in the first letter he is finishing his undergraduate work in England. Shortly thereafter, he receives his first appointment, which is of a rank below that of professor, called Reader. After that, he is able to get a Professor's position.