Eru Ilúvatar is the supreme creator figure in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ainulindalë, the creation account in The Silmarillion.
In Tolkien’s mythology, Eru first creates the Ainur, spiritual beings who develop a great music under his direction. The Music of the Ainur becomes the conception of Eä, the universe, and the Ainur who enter the created world become the Valar and Maiar.
Eru is not simply another member of the Valar. Manwë is the chief of the Valar in Arda, Morgoth is the rebellious Vala who becomes the main enemy of the First Age, and Aulë is the Vala associated with craftsmanship. Eru stands above them as the source of creation.
The spelling includes an accent in Ilúvatar, although simplified forms may omit diacritics in some text systems. The name is especially associated with Tolkien’s mythological writings rather than the main plot of The Hobbit.