The Oxford English Dictionary gives the following definition for a mentor:
Originally (in form Mentor): a person who acts as guide and adviser to another person, esp. one who is younger and less experienced. Later, more generally: a person who offers support and guidance to another; an experienced and trusted counsellor or friend; a patron, a sponsor.
And the following definition for a role model:
A person regarded by others as an example to be imitated.
I am not sure if it is acceptable to have someone you have never met and who has died as either a mentor or a role model, but if it is, then J.R.R. Tolkien would certainly be one of mine.
This isn’t simply because of my love of The Lord of the Rings, although it is certainly a factor. It also isn’t because of Tolkien’s writing process, from which I can certainly benefit.
Rather it’s from his belief in the value of friendship, his pursuit of both an academic and creative life, his quirkiness (some of which can be seen in the BBC Documentary Tolkien in Oxford), and his love of life’s simple pleasures, including simple foods and even a good smoke.
All people are flawed, and the flaws of the ones we idolize will no doubt hit us hard, but I do think looking in the past for immensely productive and talented people (such as Tolkien for me) is as good as any place to start when thinking of mentors and role models for one’s self.