J R R Tolkien’s Birthday to Be Toasted by Fans Worldwide

JRR Tolkien: Michael Palin holds an original artwork of JRR Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' at the launch of the 'Oxford Thinking' campaign in London on May 28, 2008. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

J.R.R. Tolkien was born 118 years ago on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Today, Tolkien fans will celebrate with a birthday toast at 9 p.m. local time to the renowned author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

According to The Tolkien Society’s website, the person must stand, raise a glass of choice, and say “The Professor” before sipping or swigging the drink and sitting back down to finish it off.

The society is an international organization registered in the United Kingdom to encourage interest in the life and works of the late Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, its website says.

2011 toast entries on the site are already accumulating.

Paul Axtell of Oxford, England, will be raising a glass of fruit juice to the Professor. “The greatest writer of the modern age,” he posted on the site. “He is at rest not far from where I live and I often visit his grave to pay my respects for this I feel lucky.”

“To the Professor! The man who has opened our minds and hearts!” posted Marcin ‘Tarbrethil’ Bednarkiewicz of Poland, who will be toasting with Guinness.

Branwyn from the United States will be sipping cider. “Hail the architect of MiddleEarth!” she posted.