I'm glad he created - or rather utilized many od legends to create Middle-earth, but honestly now, ( after reading him for twenty-odd years ) I prefer good fanfic. I do know him - now I want to read deeper, or other interpretations. He set the stage - as he apparently wished to - there's room for others.

Yes, I read that not so long ago, about the Elves waking. he did have very idealistic views, which to me don't fit the Elves, it's like trying to straightjacket them.
But what about Thingol then, he couldn't have woken with his wife, as he married Melian, but apparently he was one of the first Elves.

I look at his work like a history, which is prone to the biases and mistakes and omissions of all recorded history.