did jrr tolkien invent elves

The concept of elves has existed for centuries in various cultures around the world, including Norse mythology, Irish mythology, and Welsh mythology. In these mythologies, elves were often depicted as magical, supernatural beings, possessing extraordinary beauty, intelligence, and mystical powers. They were considered to be a type of fairy or nature spirit. However, J.R.R. Tolkien's depiction of elves in his fantasy novels, particularly "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, significantly shaped modern perceptions of elves and is often credited with popularizing the concept of elves in contemporary fantasy literature and media. So while elves existed long before J.R