What is the name of the dark lord who seeks the One Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings?

The story behind the answer

Sauron is the dark lord who seeks the One Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

Sauron forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom to control the other Rings of Power and extend his dominion over Middle-earth. The Ring contains much of his power, so its destruction is essential to defeating him permanently.

Although Sauron is the central enemy of The Lord of the Rings, he is not usually encountered as a normal physical character. His influence is represented through the Eye, armies, servants, surveillance, and the corruption of power. The Ringwraiths, including the Witch-king, serve him but are not the same being.

Sauron originally served Morgoth, the greater evil of Tolkien’s earlier mythology. After Morgoth’s defeat, Sauron became the principal enemy of the later age. The Ring is finally destroyed when Gollum falls into the Cracks of Doom while clutching it.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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