J. R. R. Tolkien
The request for a sequel prompted Tolkien to begin what would become his most famous work: the epic novel "The Lord of the Rings" (originally published in three volumes 1954–1955). Tolkien spent more than ten years writing the primary narrative and appendices for "The Lord of the Rings", during which time he received the constant support of the Inklings, in particular his closest friend C. S. Lewis, the author of "The Chronicles of Narnia". Both "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" are set against the background of "The Silmarillion", but in a time long after it.
Theophilus Johnson
Theophilus or Theo Johnson was born on 23 August 1836 at Tottenham in Middlesex, the third son of George Johnson, a well-to-do wax refiner from the City and his wife, Ann, daughter of John Josse of Spitalfields. He was the grand-uncle of Laurence Bertrand Johnson, the good friend of C. S. Lewis. Theo was apprenticed as a stationer and printer, eventually starting his own letterpress printing business.