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5 Books by C.S. Lewis that Everyone Should Read

• Ryan Duncan
• Updated Aug 22, 2022

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It has been over fifty years since the death of C.S. Lewis. On November 22, 1963, the Christian author and scholar passed away quietly in his home, his absence largely overlooked by the rest of the world. Yet Lewis’ writings went on to inspire generations of Christians and challenged the world with new notions about faith and God. Today, I would like to commemorate his work with a list of five books by C.S. Lewis that everyone should read. But first, let's look into his life and what inspired his great works of literature.

The Life of C.S. Lewis

Born in Belfast Ireland on Nov. 29, 1898, Clive Staples Lewis (nicknamed Jack) grew up with a deep love for reading books. Some of his favorites were Beatrix Potter stories; he had a fascination for writing and illustrating his own animal stories.

Losing his mother at an early age had a deep impact on Lewis’ spiritual life. Without her wisdom and godly influence, under agnostic and atheistic education later as a teen, he eventually walked away from his faith becoming an atheist.

Through the years, he faced hardship and pain after being injured in World War One and continued his search for meaning in life. Lewis finally came back to God at age 32, greatly influenced by the inspiring writings of George McDonald and other colleagues and friends, such as J. R. R. Tolkien, and G. K Chesterton.

Excerpt from 25 Inspiring C. S. Lewis Quotes by Debbie McDaniel

Books by C.S. Lewis Everyone Should Read

Mere christianity.

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

Mere Christianity is one of Lewis’ most insightful books as well as one of his most difficult. A frank discussion on Christian beliefs, Mere Christianity  urges the reader to ask tough questions while examining the Bible from new perspectives. At moments, some may find the material hard to digest, but Lewis’ determined narrations help to pull the reader slowly forward. Even 70 years after it was written, this book continues to inspire Christians in the midst of their walk with God.

The Great Divorce

“Every natural love will rise again and live forever in this country: but none will rise again until it has been buried.”

Drawing inspiration from the works of St. Augustine, Lewis Carroll, and George MacDonald, The Great Divorce takes its readers on a journey to the slopes of Heaven and Hell. Lewis imagines a grim and joyless city known as “The Grey Town”, filled with inhabitants seeking a better place. When the narrator of the story joins a bus tour on an excursion elsewhere, he makes some startling discoveries about himself and what awaits him at the end of the road. Filled with vivid imagery and some poignant discussions on joy and redemption , The Great Divorce  asks us to consider the ultimate destination of every soul.

The Screwtape Letters

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

Wickedly charming and brilliantly clever, The Screwtape Letters is Lewis at his finest. The book is comprised of thirty-one written letters from the demon Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood, a younger and less experienced tempter. Together, the two schemes for ways to lead a human man toward “ Our Father Below” (Satan) while dreading the strength of “the Enemy” (God). The unorthodox perspective, combined with Lewis tactful writing, makes The Screwtape Letters a riveting story that should not go overlooked.

A Grief Observed

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.”

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

“And so for a time it looked as if all the adventures were coming to an end; but that was not to be.”

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe  will forever remain the most beloved of Lewis’ written works. It’s here that readers were first introduced to the magical realm of Narnia and the immortal character of Aslan, the lion. It’s here that the wonder and the beauty of Jesus death was rendered in stunning metaphor. And it’s hear where Lewis began the seven-book saga which would capture the imagination of children everywhere. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe  has been read and re-read, and will no doubt open again in the years to come.

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The Best C.S. Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)!

Here is our favorite c.s. lewis biography … (plus, more biographies and companion guides to his work), compiled by marina konow.

Brief C.S. Lewis Biography: Though the celebrated C.S. Lewis, didn’t necessarily have a long life, he managed to accomplish a great deal with the time he was given. In his 65 years on earth, Lewis went from being raised Christian to later becoming atheist; only to be brought back to the Christian faith later. His famous friend, J.R.R. Tolkien , played a key role in his return to the faith.

Lewis created a world near and dear to many hearts through his well- known Narnian stories, which continue to influence our culture, over 60 years after the last book was published, For instance, three of the seven books have recently been turned into major motion picture productions. Since 1950, (the year The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was published) The Chronicles of Narnia series has sold over 100 million copies and has been published in 47 different languages.  

Lewis continues to inspire all Christians through his essays and novels. Besides the Narnia series, his novels Mere Christianity , The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce are but a few of his insightful works.

With all the wonderful stories and perspectives Lewis gave us, many authors have tackled the challenge of writing about him and his work. Through these books, one is able to gain more perspective of Lewis’s character and backstory; as well as an understanding of his faith journey.

Listed below are some of the best biographies and guides that help us better understand C.S. Lewis.  We’ve included excerpts from the books where available via Google Books.

*** The Best C.S. Lewis Biography …

1)    jack: a life of c. s. lewis by george sayer.

Sayer draws from a variety of sources, including his close friendship with Lewis and the million-word diary of Lewis’s brother, to paint a portrait of the man whose friends knew as Jack. Offering glimpses into Lewis’s extraordinary relationships and experiences, Jack details the great scholar’s life at the Kilns; days at Magdalen College; meetings with the Inklings; marriage to Joy Davidman Gresham; and the creative process that produced such world-famous works as the classic Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters. This book is an intimate account of the man who helped-and through his works, continues to help-generations hear and understand the heart of Christianity.

C.S. Lewis Biographical FAQ:

When did c.s. lewis live.

Born: November 29, 1898, Belfast, Noerthern Ireland Died: November 22, 1963, Oxford, United Kingdom

How did C.S. Lewis die?

Lewis died on 22 November 1963 from kidney failure, one week before his 65th birthday. (via Wikipedia)

Did C.S. Lewis write an autobiography?

Yes, he wrote several autobiographical books including SURPRISED BY JOY: The Shape of my Early Life and A GRIEF OBSERVED, about his grieving the death of his wife, Joy Davidman.

What is C.S. Lewis best known for?

C.S. Lewis is best known for his novels for children, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. However, he wrote many other bestselling books on themes of faith.

NEXT PAGE >>>>>> PAGE 1 OF 6

Image Credit: From the cover to the excellent book A Life Observed: A Spiritual Biography of C. S. Lewis by Devin Brown. Buy it now!)

UPDATED AUGUST 2020 to add FAQ

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The 19 best C.S. Lewis books, from Narnia and beyond, according to Goodreads

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• C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was a British writer who wrote over 30 books in his lifetime.
• He is best known for writing " The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ."
• We used reviews from Goodreads members to rate his most popular novels.

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was a British writer who is best known for his fantastical children's series " The Chronicles of Narnia ," but also wrote science fiction, moral fiction, and theological nonfiction works. His religious works and musings are often studied as thought exercises in morality, philosophy, and theology and his " Chronicles of Narnia " series has sold over 100 million copies, becoming a staple of classic children's fantasy. 

To rank the most popular C.S. Lewis novels, we turned to Goodreads members. On Goodreads , over 125 million readers rate, review, and recommend their favorite novels to their friends and the community.  So whether you're looking for your first C.S. Lewis novel or a new read from the author of your favorite children's book, here are the best C.S. Lewis books, according to Goodreads members.

The 19 best C.S. Lewis books, according to Goodreads members:

'the lion, the witch and the wardrobe'.

" The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $7.64

With over 2.5 million ratings, " The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe " is the most popular C.S. Lewis book amongst Goodreads members. It's a fantastical children's story about the magical, wintry world young Lucy and her siblings discover hidden in the back of a wardrobe. In Narnia, the children find a noble lion, a White Witch, and the terrible spell under which all of Narnia is trapped.

'The Magician's Nephew'

"The Magician's Nephew," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27

Though published sixth, " The Magician's Nephew " is the prequel to " The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ," detailing the creation of Narnia by Aslan, the lion. Set 1,000 years before the first magical tale, this story explains the fantastical elements of Narnia and the importance of different histories, and is an enjoyable story for anyone who loved the first classic novel.

'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'

"The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $7.99

Lucy and Edmund are drawn back into Narnia along with their cousin, Eustace, to discover King Caspian is set to board the ship Dawn Treader in search of the seven lost Lords, banished by the previous evil king. The three children board the ship for a fantastical adventure in this third installment of the " Chronicles of Narnia " series.

'The Screwtape Letters'

"The Screwtape Letters," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $10.27

" The Screwtape Letters " is a 1942 classic religious satire that uses the viewpoint of devils to portray the temptations and sins of humanity. Told through 31 letters from a demon named Screwtape, the story serves as a satirical mentorship from the demon to his nephew as he attempts to secure the eternal damnation of one British man.

'Prince Caspian'

"Prince Caspian," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27

In this second book in the " Chronicles of Narnia " series, the Pevensie siblings are pulled back to Narnia, where 1300 years have passed in the one English year since their last visit. The children learn that the magic is running out in Narnia, the animals are in hiding, and there's a prince who desperately needs their help.

'Mere Christianity'

"Mere Christianity," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.69

" Mere Christianity " is a theological book by C.S. Lewis, a compilation of BBC radio talks that he gave between 1941 and 1944. First published as three separate books, the transcripts focus on mortality, Christian ethics, and the Christian idea of God. 

'The Horse and His Boy'

"The Horse and His Boy," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27

Set during the final chapter of " The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ," this story is told as the Pevensie children reign as kings and queens in Narnia, though they appear as only minor characters in this tale. In the countries south of Narnia, two children and their two talking horses are each running away from home when they uncover a prince's plan to attack Archenland and set out to warn the king.

'The Silver Chair'

"The Silver Chair," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27

In this " Chronicles of Narnia " tale, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole are two children pulled into Narnia and recruited to help the elderly King Caspian X help find his missing son and heir to his throne. The lion, Aslan, gives Jill four Signs to guide them on their journey to find the missing prince. 

'The Last Battle'

"The Last Battle," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27

" The Last Battle " is the emotional and highly-anticipated conclusion to the " Chronicles of Narnia " series, where an evil ape named Shift has deceived the residents of Narnia with a naive donkey disguised as Aslan the lion, leading Narnians astray. Learning of the distress, King Tirian calls Eustace and Jill to Narnia, who are soon joined by the Pevensie siblings to defend Narnia and Aslan. 

'The Great Divorce'

"The Great Divorce," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.99

" The Great Divorce " is a Christian allegorical tale about a bus ride from hell to heaven. As the narrator waits for the bus in a cold, grey, rainy town, he listens to the discussions of other passengers before boarding a bus that ascends beyond the rainy clouds into a clear sky in this story about grace, judgment, and redemption. 

'Out of the Silent Planet'

"Out of the Silent Planet," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $11.19

This novel is the first in a science fiction trilogy where Dr. Ransom is kidnapped and taken aboard a spacecraft set for a planet called Malacandra, better known as Mars. When Dr. Ransom overhears his captors discussing their plans to offer him as a sacrifice, he attempts to escape and, in the process, learns about this new strange planet and the intergalactic history of his own.

'A Grief Observed'

"A Grief Observed," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.49

" A Grief Observed " is a painful and raw collection of C.S. Lewis' grief-ridden journal entries following the death of his wife in 1960. As Lewis mourned his wife, he contemplated profound questions about the role of faith and religion in life and death, exploring the human processes of grief in a candid conversation. 

'Till We Have Faces'

"Till We Have Faces," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $14.49

In this mythological retelling of the story of Cupid and Psyche, possessive Orual is accusatory and suspicious of her younger sister Psyche's, new love: Cupid. Determined to pull Psyche away from Cupid, Orual begins a journey of moral development in this vivid retelling.

'Surprised by Joy'

"Surprised by Joy," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $14.49

" Surprised by Joy " is an autobiographical depiction of C.S. Lewis' conversion to Christianity in 1931. Though the memoir does not continue beyond that year, the book focuses on Lewis' search to find joy and how that search guided his path from atheism to Christianity.

'The Problem of Pain'

"The Problem of Pain," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.79

In this short philosophical read, C.S. Lewis sets out to answer a huge theological question: If God is all-powerful and good, why does he allow people to suffer? C.S. Lewis argues that the existence of pain is not evidence that God isn't good through this exploration of theology, morality, and paradoxes.

'The Four Loves'

"The Four Loves," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.99

Published in 1963, " The Four Loves " is a compilation of radio talks C.S. Lewis gave in 1958 about love through a religious and philosophical perspective. Lewis explores the four types of human love — affection, friendship, erotic love, and love of God — through thoughtful problems and conversations. 

'Perelandra'

"Perelandra," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.99

This second novel of C.S. Lewis' science fiction trilogy is set on the planet Perelandra, or Venus, where Dr. Ransom must travel to stop the dark force that threatens to invade the peaceful planet. In this rich novel that mirrors a retelling of the biblical "Adam and Eve" story, Ransom struggles against the forces of evil in a paradise land.

'That Hideous Strength'

"That Hideous Strength," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $14.99

" That Hideous Strength " is the final novel in C.S. Lewis' space trilogy. Set on Earth, this novel follows Mark Studdock who is enticed to join a sinister organization called N.I.C.E., which aims to control all of humanity. As his wife Jane continues to have strange and eerie dreams, Mark uncovers the meaning behind them in this fascinating science fiction conclusion.

'The Abolition of Man'

"The Abolition of Man," available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $11.99

" The Abolition of Man " is a thought-provoking philosophical work that explores the values from the texts taught in schools, objective and natural values, and reflections upon a future where a select group of people decides the morality of humanity. Divided into three sections which were once a series of lectures given by C.S. Lewis, this 1943 philosophical book is one that encourages readers to challenge their own beliefs.

• Main content

(1898-1963)

Who Was C.S. Lewis?

Writer and scholar C.S. Lewis taught at Oxford University and became a renowned Christian apologist writer, using logic and philosophy to support the tenets of his faith. He is also known throughout the world as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, which have been adapted into various films for the big and small screens.

Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland, on November 29, 1898, to Flora August Hamilton Lewis and Albert J. Lewis. As a toddler, Clive declared that his name was Jack, which is what he was called by family and friends. He was close to his older brother Warren and the two spent much time together as children.

Lewis was enraptured by fantastic animals and tales of gallantry, and hence the brothers created the imaginary land of Boxen, complete with an intricate history that served them for years. Lewis' mother died when he was 10, and he went on to receive his pre-college education at boarding schools and from a tutor. During WWI, he served with the British army and was sent home after being wounded by shrapnel. He then chose to live as a surrogate son with Janie Moore, the mother of a friend of Lewis' who was killed in the war.

Teaching Career at Oxford and Wartime Broadcasts

Lewis began publishing work including Spirits in Bondage in 1919 and the satirical Dymer in 1926. After penning other titles — including The Allegory of Love (1936), for which he won the Hawthornden Prize — he released in 1938 his first sci-fi work, Out of the Silent Planet , the first of a space trilogy which dealt sub-textually with concepts of sin and desire. Later, during WWII, Lewis gave highly popular radio broadcasts on Christianity which won many converts; his speeches were collected in the work Mere Christianity .

Books and Film Legacy

Lewis was a prolific author of fiction and nonfiction who wrote dozens of books over the course of his career. His faith-based arguments as seen in texts like The Great Divorce (1946) and Miracles (1947) are held in high regard by many theologians, scholars and general readers. His satirical fiction novel The Screwtape Letters (1942) is also a beloved classic. Lewis also continued his love affair with classic mythology and narratives during his later years: His book Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold (1956) featured the story of Psyche and Cupid. He also penned an autobiography, Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (1955).

Lewis' landmark series, The Chronicles of Narnia , has seen a number of on-screen iterations, including a cartoon version of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that was released in 1979 and a 1989 film series. Additionally, in 2005, a big-screen adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe hit movie theaters, starring Tilda Swinton as the witch Jadis and Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. Two more Narnia films were brought to theaters as well: Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). A movie version of The Silver Chair was slated to hit theaters in the near future, with filming starting in the winter of 2018.

Lewis' relationship with his wife, Joy, has also been depicted in Shadowlands , presented as a play and two films; one of the film versions was directed by Richard Attenborough and starred Anthony Hopkins as Lewis.

'The Chronicles of Narnia'

During the 1940s, Lewis began writing the seven books that would comprise The Chronicles of Narnia children's series, with The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) being the first release. The story focused on four siblings who, during wartime, walk through an armoire to enter the magical world of Narnia, a land resplendent with mythical creatures and talking animals. Throughout the series, a variety of Biblical themes are presented; one prominent character is Aslan, a lion and the ruler of Narnia, who has been interpreted as a Jesus Christ figure. (Lewis would assert that his Narnia stories weren't a direct allegory to the real world.)

Though the book received some negative reviews, it was generally well-received by readers, and the series retained its international popularity over the following decades.

In 1954, Lewis joined the faculty of Cambridge University as a literature professor, and in 1956 he married an American English teacher, Joy Gresham, with whom he had been in correspondence. Lewis was full of happiness during the years of their marriage, though Gresham died of cancer in 1960. Lewis grieved deeply for his wife and shared his thoughts in the book A Grief Observed , using a pen name.

In 1963, Lewis resigned from his Cambridge position after experiencing heart trouble. He died on November 22, 1963, in Headington, Oxford.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: C.S. Lewis
• Birth Year: 1898
• Birth date: November 29, 1898
• Birth City: Belfast
• Birth Country: Ireland
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: C.S. Lewis was a prolific Irish writer and scholar best known for his 'Chronicles of Narnia' fantasy series and his pro-Christian texts.
• Fiction and Poetry
• Journalism and Nonfiction
• Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
• University College, Oxford
• Death Year: 1963
• Death date: November 22, 1963
• Death City: Oxford
• Death Country: England

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: C.S. Lewis Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/cs-lewis
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: April 20, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
• I did not say to myself, 'Let us represent Jesus as he really is in our world by a lion in Narnia.' I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a man in our world, became a lion there, and then imagine what would happen.'

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• C.S. Lewis and the Love of Words

5 C.S. Lewis Biographies for 5 Different Readings: A 10 Minute Book Talk by Brenton Dickieson

This video brings together two series, the 10 Minute Book Talk with Dr. Brenton Dickieson (i.e., me), on Youtube, and what I want to do as a 5 Books Series here on http://www.aPilgrimInNarnia.com . I have had this video done for a while but still haven’t worked out any other part of the series. So I am pre-launching the series because I think this is a helpful video, and I get more questions about this topic than anything else.

Here, I talk about 5 biographies of C.S. Lewis, each with a different way of looking at his story. The conversation includes:

#1 A personal biography by student and friend, George Sayer , Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis #2 A baseline critical biography by Alister McGrath , C.S. Lewis: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet #3 A controversial biography from a skeptical angle, A.N. Wilson , C.S. Lewis: A Biography #4 A literary biography by American public intellectual Alan Jacobs , The Narnian : The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis #5 A biography of the spiritual life , Devin Brown , A Life Observed: A Spiritual Biography of C.S. Lewis

I also make some comments about some other biographies of and books about C.S. Lewis, just because I’m not good at sticking with 5!

I believe in open access scholarship. Because of this, since 2011 I have made A Pilgrim in Narnia free with nearly 1,000 posts on faith, fiction, and fantasy. Please consider sharing my work so others can enjoy it.

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About Brenton Dickieson

26 responses to 5 c.s. lewis biographies for 5 different readings: a 10 minute book talk by brenton dickieson.

I liked Alister McGrath’s biography. I like McGrath’s writing style (even though I often dislike his ideas, he writes elegantly).

McGrath sort of intimidates me, reading 20+ books per week and writing a book every year or two. Increadible. I wish this book was more exciting, but perhaps I’m not reading it in my mind with a good enough voice. It is a tight writing script.

If it’s any consolation, before reading this reply, I just wrote my other reply about the number of books you’ve already read this year 😊

Authorial voice is so important. When I read Ronald Hutton’s books I can hear them in his voice (when he gives a talk, it’s in the same style as the books, which helps). He also writes very well indeed.

This was so helpful and well done. Thank you!

Thanks so much!

Not a biography, but I really enjoyed “Becoming Mrs Lewis” (recent novel about Joy Davidman).

Yes, Yvonne, I generally liked that novel too. There is much historical in it, but I could never quite see Joy’s personality itself there. Many people think I am wrong about this!

I must get around to reading Surprised by Joy and some of her poetry.

I was looking at your Goodreads book count and noted that so far this year you’ve already read the same number of books that I read last year. (I used to read a lot more books when commuting by bus!)

Many thanks for this, Brenton. I enjoyed listening to it and I think that I would like to read the Devin Brown. I have read the A.N Wilson. For years I have been used to hearing him discoursing cynically, in his highly cultured and carefully crafted accent, on all kinds of issues and it was only in coming across a recent film about T.S Eliot that I realised with some shock that he had returned to his early Christian faith.

Yes, Wilson’s (re)turn is interesting. He has actually rewritten some ideas about Lewis in this updated form–not rethinking Lewis’ facts of biography, but his relation to them. I commented on them here ( https://apilgriminnarnia.com/2019/02/18/narnias-lost-poet/ ), a 2nd part in a series, but I admit I did it in a very rushed way.

Tangential question – I’m still consulting the first edition of Paul Ford’s Companion to Narnia for the (likely) composition history of the chronicles, though (unless I missed it) he doesn’t document how he arrived at it – what do ‘we’ (as opposed to I!) know of the current state of this matter? (E.g., I keep reading refs to McGrath’s redating of Lewis’s conversion(s) – does he redate lots of other things I should know about, including Narnia? I’ve yet to read the latest three of these five biographies…)

What about Roger Lancelyn Green’s?

It is important because it is early and written with Walter Hooper. I just don’t find it compelling enough to recommend to others, in terms of the storytelling.

What ho! Are we talking about the Green-Hooper biography, or about Roger Lancelyn Green’s C.S. Lewis: A Bodley Head Monograph (1963) thereafter published in the US as C.S. Lewis : A Walck Monograph (NY: Henry Z. Walck, 1963), and reprinted in as one of the “Three Bodley Head Monographs” collections, Henry Treece, C. S. Lewis, Beatrix Potter (Bodley Head, 1969) with the other two being by Margery Fisher and Marcus Crouch?

I see there is a scan of the Walck edition in the Internet Archive among “Texts to Borrow”.

The index of the 1976 “First Harvest edition” paperback reprint of Green and Hooper is always one of my starting points in looking up things about Lewis – though I still have not caught up MCGrath, Jacobs, or Brown…

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5 Books to Celebrate C.S. Lewis’s Birthday

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Today is C.S. Lewis’s 117 th birthday! To celebrate, here are five books that explore his life and work.

1. C.S. Lewis – A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Alister McGrath

2. The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams by Philip Zaleski & Carol Zaleski

3. Women and C.S. Lewis: What His Life and Literature Reveal for Today’s Culture by Carolyn Curtis & Mary Pomroy Key

4. Reading C.S. Lewis: A Commentary by Wesley A. Kort

5. The Narnia Code: C.S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens by Michael Ward

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Meet C.S. Lewis

C.s. lewis life & works.

Clive Staples Lewis was one of the most influential writers of the 20th Century. A brilliant and imaginative thinker, Lewis was a scholar and professor of English literature with positions at Oxford and Cambridge. Yet he became best known for his popular works of children’s fantasy and his writings and talks on the Christian faith. His BBC radio broadcasts during World War Two gained widespread acclaim in England as Lewis explored “Right and Wrong, a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe.”

Once an avowed atheist, Lewis’s own intellectual and spiritual journey led him to the God of the Bible and ultimately to Christ. While he seldom spoke of his beliefs during university lectures, His Christian faith profoundly influenced his writing. C.S. Lewis wrote over thirty books, including the Chronicles of Narnia ,  The Space Trilogy , Mere Christianity , Miracles , Surprised by Joy , The Screwtape Letters , and The Problem of Pain .

Lewis was the President of the Socratic Club at Oxford University and a member of the Inklings, a literary group that included friends such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams. While he rarely traveled outside of his homeland, his influence continues to be felt around the world today.

On this site you’ll learn more about the life, works, and faith of C.S. Lewis. Explore his journey from Belfast to Narnia or follow his spiritual pilgrimage from atheist to Christian apologist. You’ll discover Lewis’s key ideas and lasting legacy and learn about the relationships that shaped his life and thoughts. You can also browse free study courses on C.S. Lewis’s books such as The Screwtape Letters , Mere Christianity , or The Weight of Glory .

Featuring photos, articles and audio/video lectures from leading C.S. Lewis scholars, we hope these resources on C.S. Lewis’s life can encourage your further study. We also invite you to go on your own journey. Consider the invitation C.S. Lewis accepted , or join a C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows program to deepen your own faith and lay a foundation for significant life-change.

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Including: the apologetics of c.s. lewis, communicating the gospel: c.s. lewis style, c.s. lewis’s case for christ and many more., latest release:, from belfast to narnia: the life and faith of c.s. lewis.

The Invitation C.S. Lewis Accepted - And One You, Too, Can Accept

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C. S. Lewis: A Biography Paperback – August 17, 2002

A subtle and poignant portrayal of the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia .

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Biography of C.S. Lewis, British Writer

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C.S. Lewis (November 29, 1898 – November 22,1963) was a British fantasy writer and scholar. Known for his imaginative fantasy world of Narnia and, later, his writings on Christianity, Lewis’ life was informed by a search for higher meaning. He remains to this day one of most beloved children’s authors in English.

Fast Facts: C.S. Lewis

• Full Name: Clive Staples Lewis
• Known For: His series of fantasy novels set in Narnia and his Christian apologist writings
• Born: November 29, 1898 in Belfast, United Kingdom
• Parents: Florence Augusta and Albert James Lewis
• Died: November 22, 1963 in Oxford, United Kingdom
• Education : Oxford University, Malvern College, Cherbourg House, Wynyard School
• Published Works: The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-1956), Mere Christianity , Screwtape Letters , Surprised by Joy
• Spouse: Joy Davidman
• Children: two stepsons

Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland, to Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Florence Augusta Lewis, the daughter of a clergyman. He spent a happy, if prosaic, childhood in middle-class Belfast. Neither of his parents was interested much in poetry; as Lewis writes in his auto-biography, “Neither had ever listened for the horns of elfland.” His early life in Belfast was marked by its lack of “otherworldly” features, including meager religious experience.

However, Lewis was born a romantic. He remarked later that he learned longing from the distant Castlereagh Hills, which he could see from his first home in Belfast. He was not alone in his latent romanticism; his elder brother and lifelong best friend, Warren, was similar in temperament. As children, the two would spend hours drawing and writing stories set in their respective fantasy worlds. Warnie had chosen an imagined version of industrialized India, complete with steam engines and battles, and Clive, known as Jack, founded “Animal-Land,” where anthropomorphic animals dwelt in a medieval world. The two decided Animal-Land had to be an earlier version of Warnie’s India, and they named the world “Boxen.” When Warnie went off to an English boarding school called Wynyard, Jack became a voracious reader, enjoying his father’s large library. He also continued his own education in French and Latin lessons with his mother and mathematics with a governess, and while he was neither isolated nor quiet, Lewis’ vivid imagination found him increasingly opting for solitude. It was during this time that he began to experience, while reading the epics of the Norse, what he later called Joy, "which must be sharply distinguished from Happiness or Pleasure... It might almost equally well be called a particular type of unhappiness or grief." He spent much of his life in search of this mysterious, otherworldly feeling.

When he was 9 years old, Lewis underwent two experiences that ended the tranquility of childhood. First, his mother died from cancer. His father never recovered from the loss, and grief’s effect on him was a wild anger and instability which alienated his boys. Jack was then sent to the English boarding school that his older brother attended, Wynyard, a school of about 20 boys.

The school was run by an eccentric man, Robert “Oldie” Capron, who administered almost random corporal punishment and taught the boys almost nothing. While Lewis recalled his school days there as miserable, he also cited Wynyard with teaching him the value of friendship and of standing united against a common foe.

The school soon shut down due to lack of students, with Oldie committing to a psychiatric hospital, and so Lewis moved to Campbell College in Belfast, about a mile from his home. He lasted less than a term at this school and was removed for health problems. Not long thereafter his father sent him to Cherbourg House, a school in the same town as his brother’s Malvern College. It was at Cherbourg House that Lewis lost the Christian faith of his childhood, becoming interested instead in the occult.

Lewis did very well at Cherbourg House and was granted a scholarship to study at Malvern College, where he started in 1913 (which his brother had since left, matriculating as a military cadet at Sandhurst). Quickly he learned to hate the socially aggressive school in the elite British “public school” tradition. However, he advanced quickly in Latin and Greek, and it was there that Lewis discovered how deep his love went for “Northernness,” as he called it, Norse mythology, the Nordic sagas, and the artistic works they inspired, including Wagner’s "Ring Cycle." He began experimenting with new ways of writing beyond Animal-Land and Boxen, composing epic poetry inspired by Norse mythology.

In 1914, Lewis withdrew from the hated Malvern College and was tutored by a friend of his father’s in Surrey, W.T. Kirkpatrick, known by his family as “The Great Knock.” Under Kirkpatrick’s tuition, Lewis entered into one of the happiest times of his life, studying all day and reading by night.

War Years (1917-1919)

• Spirits in Bondage (1919)

Lewis gained admission into University College, Oxford, in 1917. He enlisted in the British army (the Irish were not required to conscript), and was trained at Keble College, Oxford, where he met a dear friend, Paddy Moore. The two promised if one died, the other would take care of his family.

Lewis arrived at the front line in the Somme Valley on his 19th birthday. Although he hated the army, he found the camaraderie made it better than the aggressive Malvern College. In early 1918, he was wounded by a shell and sent back to England to convalesce. He spent the rest of his time in the army in Andover, England, and was discharged in December 1919.

Upon returning from the war, Lewis published, with Knock's encouragement, a book of poetry called Spirits in Bondage (1919). However, the book received no reviews, to the chagrin of its 20-year-old author. 

Oxford Studies and Path to Religion (1919-1938)

• Dymer (1926)
• Pilgrim’s Regress (1933)

Lewis studied at Oxford upon returning from the war till 1924. Once finished, he received a triple first, the highest honor in three degrees, including in Honour Moderations (Greek and Latin literature), in Greats (Philosophy and Ancient History), and in English. During this time, Lewis moved in with Jane Moore, the mother of his friend Paddy Moore, to whom he became so close that he would introduce her as his mother. When Lewis finished his studies in 1924, he stayed in Oxford, becoming a philosophy tutor at University College, and the following year was elected a fellow at Magdalen College. He published Dymer in 1926, a long narrative poem.

In philosophical conversation with friends, including writer and philosopher Owen Barfield, Lewis became more and more convinced of the “Absolute” of Idealism, a universe or “wholeness” that contains all possibilities within it, although he refused to admit the similarity of this idea with that of God. In 1926, Lewis met J.R.R. Tolkien, a devout Roman Catholic philologist also studying at Oxford. In 1931, after a long discussion with his friends Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, Lewis converted to Christianity, which was to become a huge and lasting influence in his life.

In the fall term of 1933, Lewis and his friends began weekly meetings of an informal group that became known as the “Inklings.” They met each Thursday night in Lewis’ rooms at Magdalen and Mondays or Fridays at the Eagle & Child pub in Oxford (known to the locals as “The Bird & Baby”). Members included J.R.R. Tolkien, Warren Lewis, Hugo Dyson, Charles Williams, Dr. Robert Havard, Owen Barfield, Weville Coghill, and others. The group’s primary purpose was to read aloud the unfinished writings of their members, including Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Lewis’ work-in-progress Out of the Silent Planet. Meetings were friendly and fun, and were a lasting influence on both Tolkien and Lewis.

Lewis also published at this time an allegorical novel, Pilgrim's Regress (1933), a reference to John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, though the novel was received to mixed reviews.

Scholarly Career (1924-1963)

Scholarly works.

• The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition (1936)
• A Preface to Paradise Lost (1942)
• The Abolition of Man (1943)
• Miracles (1947)
• Arthurian Torso (1948)
• Transposition, and Other Addresses (1949)
• English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama (1954)
• Reflections on the Psalms (1958)
• Studies in Words (1960)
• An Experiment in Criticism (1961)
• They Asked for a Paper: Papers and Addresses (1962)

Lewis was to serve as tutor in English Language and Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, for 29 years. Much of his work in English revolved around the later Middle Ages. In 1935, he agreed to write a volume for the Oxford History of English Literature on 16th century English literature, which became a classic when it was published in 1954. He also received the Gollancz Memorial Prize for Literature for his Allegory of Love in 1937. His Preface to Paradise Lost remains influential to this day.

He tutored poet John Betjeman, mystic Bede Griffiths, and novelist Roger Lancelyn Green, among others. In 1954, he was invited to become the chair of the newly founded Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge, though he kept a home in Oxford until his death, where he visited on weekends and holidays. 

Second World War and Christian Apologetics (1939-1945)

• The Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet (1938)
• Screwtape Letters (1942)
• The Case for Christianity (1942)
• Christian Behaviour (1943)
• The Space Trilogy: Perelandra (1943)
• Beyond Personality (1944)
• The Space Trilogy: That Hideous Strength (1945)
• The Great Divorce (1945)
• Mere Christianity: A Revised and Amplified Edition, with a New Introduction, of the Three Books, Broadcast Talks, Christian Behaviour, and Beyond Personality (1952)
• The Four Loves (1960)
• The World’s Last Night and Other Essays (1960)

In 1930, the Lewis brothers and Jane Moore had bought a house, called “The Kilns,” in Risinghurst, just outside of Oxford. In 1932, Warren retired from the military and moved in with them. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Lewises took in child evacuees from major cities, which Lewis suggested later gave him a greater appreciation for children and inspired the first novel of the Narnia universe, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950).

Lewis was active in his fiction writing at this time. He finished his Space Trilogy, whose main character was partly based off Tolkien. The series deals with the question of sin and human redemption, as well as offering an alternative to the dehumanizing science fiction trends that Lewis and other Inklings saw developing at the time.

In 1941, The Guardian (a religious paper that ceased publication in 1951) published 31 of Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters” in weekly installments. Each letter was from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior tempter. Later published as The Screwtape Letters in 1942, the satirical and humorous epistolary novel was dedicated to Tolkien.

Since he could not enlist at age 40, Lewis spoke on several BBC radio programs on Christian teachings, and provided what many called a public service that lent meaning to a hopeless time. These radio talks were published as The Case for Christianity (1942) , Christian Behavior (1943) , and Beyond Personality (1944) , and were later anthologized in Mere Christianity (1952) .

Narnia (1950-1956)

• Surprised by Joy (1955)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)
• Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (1951)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair (1953)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy (1954)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle (1956)
• Till We Have Faces (1956)

Back in 1914, Lewis had been struck with the image of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood, perhaps from his days imagining the anthropomorphic animals of Boxen. In September 1939, after three schoolgirls came to live at the Kilns, Lewis started writing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Lewis dedicated the first book to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield (daughter of Owen Barfield, fellow Inkling). The story was published in 1950.

Although much has been made of the Christian influence on Narnia and Aslan’s correspondence to Jesus Christ, Lewis claimed the series was not meant to be allegorical. The name Narnia comes from the Italian town of Narni, written in Latin as Narnia, which Lewis found on a map of ancient Italy. The books were immediately immensely popular, and remain to this day one of the most beloved children’s series.

Even before the vast success of his novel series, in 1951, Lewis was offered the honor of becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), one of the highest awards for contributions to the arts and sciences in Great Britain. However, not wanting to be associated with politics, Lewis refused.

Marriage (1956-1960)

• A Grief Observed (1961)

In 1956, Lewis agreed to a civil marriage with Joy Davidman, an American writer. Davidman was born into a Jewish but atheist family and was quickly seen to be a child prodigy, and developed from an early age a love of fantasy novels. She met her first husband in the American Communist party, but divorced him after an unhappy and abusive marriage.

She and Lewis had been corresponding for a time, and Lewis originally saw her as an intellectual equal and a friend. He agreed to marry her so that she could stay in the United Kingdom. When she saw the doctor for a painful hip, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, and the two grew closer. Eventually the relationship developed to the point that they sought a Christian marriage in 1957, which was performed at Joy's bedside. When the cancer went into remission, the couple enjoyed several years together, continuing to live as a family with Warren Lewis. When her cancer returned, however, she died in 1960. Lewis anonymously published his journals at the time in a book called A Grief Observed, where he admitted to a grief so great that it saw him doubting God, but felt blessed to have experienced true love. 

Later Life and Death (1960-1963)

In June 1961, Lewis fell ill with nephritis and took the autumn term off at Cambridge. By 1962, he felt well enough to continue teaching. When he fell ill again in 1963 and suffered a heart attack, he resigned his post at Cambridge. He was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure and died in November of 1963. He is buried in Headington, Oxford, alongside his brother Warren.

C.S. Lewis is seen as one of the founding fathers of the genre of fantasy. He continues to be considered one of Britain's most important writers, and has been the subject of several biographies.

Lewis can be seen as a foundational influence in all modern fantasy literature, from Harry Potter to Game of Thrones. Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials, is seen as almost an anti-Lewis due to his stark atheism. Critique of Lewis ranges from sexism (focusing on the role of Susan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), racism (the Arab-inflected world of The Horse and His Boy), and hidden religious propaganda. While readers of Lewis often are surprised by the Christian underpinnings to much of his work, his Narnia series is one of the most beloved of all children's literature. Three of the books have been turned into Hollywood films, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

His marriage to Joy Davidman became the model for the BBC film, stage play, and theatrical film Shadowlands.

• Lewis, C.S. Surprised by Joy. William Collins, 2016.
• The Life of C.S. Lewis Timeline - C.S. Lewis Foundation . http://www.cslewis.org/resource/chronocsl/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2019.
• Carpenter, Humphrey. The Inklings: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien and Their Friends. HarperCollins Publishers, 2006.
• All About The Chronicles of Narnia and Author C.S. Lewis
• 8 Famous Authors Who Used Secret Pseudonyms
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Who is C.S. Lewis?

Few authors of fantasy literature are as beloved as C.S. Lewis, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on November 29, 1898. Time magazine has listed the first of his Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, as one of the top 100 English language novels written in the twentieth century. Time had earlier confirmed Lewis’s stature as a writer of international renown when it featured him on its cover in September 1947.

But then, Time was merely affirming what millions of readers then and now understood: Lewis was a writer whose gifts gave his books an enduring appeal. Unforgettable characters, places and prose that stir the imagination and heart. The world of Narnia is one to which readers return again and again. It evokes a magic all its own.

At first glance Lewis was, perhaps, an unlikely person to have crafted such highly regarded works of fantasy. A brilliant academic, he was educated at Oxford University, and returned there following service in World War I to become a Fellow and Tutor of English Literature at Magdalen College. Later, in 1954, he was appointed to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge University.

But Lewis had loved fantasy literature since his early years, and was then deeply influenced by his reading of George MacDonald’s great imaginative tale Phantastes. “I knew that I had crossed a great frontier,” he would later write.

Still earlier, as a boy, he had created Boxen—an imaginary world where animals talked and had adventures. As an adult, Lewis’s scholarly studies were steeped in chivalric literature and medieval legends. Lastly, he was highly favored in that he had a decades-long friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, the creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. There were other influences upon him, but these aspects of his life proved crucial catalysts for him to pen the Chronicles of Narnia.

Lewis and Tolkien were both members of a celebrated literary circle, The Inklings, which met at Oxford. And as Lewis’s fame grew, many people wrote to him. This opened an unexpected door of ministry, for many of his correspondents were Christians, as he was, or were interested in the truth claims of Christianity. Lewis’s correspondence also led to his meeting with the woman who would become his wife, Joy Davidman Gresham, whom he married in 1956. Their love story formed the basis of the celebrated film, Shadowlands, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough.

There are many more things that could be said about C.S. Lewis, but it is enough to say that the wonder does not end here. Visitors to his Oxford home, The Kilns, can sojourn and study in the same setting where he wrote his books. And most recently of all, in America, Lewis’s life and books have served as the inspiration for the creation of new college of the great books that bears his name. Lewis’s legacy endures, and will endure, so long as stories can capture the imagination of readers.

By Kevin Belmonte

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Biography Online

C.S. Lewis Biography

Clive Staples Lewis was born on 29 November 1898 and lived until 22 November 1963. He was born in Belfast, North Ireland into a Protestant Ulster family. Throughout his life, he retained strong roots to Ireland. He sought out the company of the Irish and took an active interest in Celtic literature and myths. He was a keen admirer of the works of W.B.Yeats, at a time when he was relatively unknown in England.

Lewis was educated at a variety of private tuition and public schools such as Malvern in Worcestershire. His time in public school was not particularly happy, and he later wrote in disparaging times of how schoolboys were mistreated. However, in 1916, Lewis was offered a scholarship at University College, Oxford University. He proved an excellent student, ultimately, gaining a triple first (the top classification in three different degrees). In 1917, his university life was interrupted as he volunteered to join the British army in the First World War. He was transferred to the Somme valley where he took part in trench warfare.

In the last months of the war, he was injured by a shell and was sent home to recuperate from his injuries. During his period of convalescence, he became increasingly friendly with Mrs Moore – the mother of a close army friend Edward ‘Paddy’ Moore. He remained very close to Mrs Moore, often referring to her as his mother until her death in the 1940s.

On returning to Oxford, C.S.Lewis completed his degrees before taking up a post teaching English at Magdalen College, Oxford from 1925 to 1954. He was a prolific writer and formed a close friendship with other Oxford fellows such as J. R. R. Tolkien , Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield. They formed an informal group known as the ‘Inklings’. They would meet at pubs in Oxford such as ‘The Eagle and Child’ where they would read parts of their novels. He encouraged Tolkien as he wrote his epic ‘The Lord of the Rings.’

C.S.Lewis and Christianity

Lewis was brought up in the Protestant Church of Ireland, but as a teenager, he said he lost his faith – turned off by boring church services and the problem of evil in the world. However, after returning to Oxford in the post-war period, he became increasingly perplexed by the existence of God and Christianity. After many evening chats with friends such as J.R.R.Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, C.S.Lewis finally converted to belief in God (theism) in 1929 and became a Christian in 1931. C.S. Lewis later wrote he felt a reluctant and unwilling convert. But, felt compelled to accept the evidence of faith. In his book, “Surprised by Joy” he writes that he came to Christianity:

“ kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape.”

C.S.Lewis became an influential apologist for Christianity through publications such as the “Screwtape Letters”. He concentrated on a more universal form of Christianity seeking to avoid the sectarianism that was common in his native Northern Ireland. He rarely made any specific reference to a particular denomination of Christianity but sought to reinforce the underlying Christian values shared by all Christian faiths. However, he always remained an Anglican and, to the disappointment of Tolkien, he never converted to Roman Catholicism.

His Christian beliefs also influenced his more popular works such as the “Chronicles of Narnia”. Though he also includes ideas of Roman and Celtic myths, there are underlying Christian notions of sacrifice and Christ-like actions. Lewis began writing   The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe  during the Second World War. He was partly inspired by three evacuee children who came to stay in his home in Risinghurst (a suburb of Oxford). Lewis said the experience of the evacuee children gave him a new perspective on the joy of childhood. Lewis also remarked he had had an image of a Faun since he was about 16.

“The  Lion  all began with a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself: ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.”

The seven book in the series were published one per year from 1950 to 1956. They soon became a publishing success and have become a very influentials genre of children’s books.

After the Second World War, C.S.Lewis became increasingly close to Joy Gresham – a Jewish convert to Christianity who divorced her alcoholic husband (the writer, William Gresham.) Joy later moved to Oxford and the two gained a civil marriage contract enabling Joy to live in the UK. C.S.Lewis very much enjoyed the company of Joy, finding an ideal partner to share his intellectual and spiritual interests. Joy Gresham died from cancer in 1957. Their love story has been romanticised in the popular film – “Shadowlands.”

C.S.Lewis died a few years later in 1963 from renal failure. His death occurred on the same date as the assassination of J.F. Kennedy.

Since his death, his books and influence have continued to grow. He has been rated as one of the top English writers of all time and his books have been translated into numerous languages.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Biography of C.S. Lewis”, Oxford, UK.  www.biographyonline.net , 25th Sep 2009. Last updated 12 January 2019.

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An interesting biography. An apologist that was not siding with any christian sect still puzzles me.

• January 30, 2019 7:14 PM

Thank You C. S. Lewis, Very Cool!

• January 28, 2019 6:22 PM

Very interesting

I read Shadowlands. I also read his book. TILL WE HAVE FACES It is considered his masterpiece.

• December 16, 2018 1:19 AM
• By Valerie Shackleton

Thanks — very interesting. A remarkable man.

• December 14, 2018 8:02 PM

• World Biography

C. S. Lewis Biography

Born: November 29, 1898 Belfast, Ireland Died: November 24, 1963 Oxford, England Irish writer, novelist, and essayist

The Irish novelist and essayist C. S. Lewis was best known for his essays on literature and his explanations of Christian teachings.

Early life and education

On November 29, 1898, Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland. He was the son of A. J. Lewis, a lawyer, and Flora August Hamilton Lewis, a mathematician (expert in mathematics), whose father was a minister. At four years old he told his parents that he wanted to be called "Jack" Lewis, and his family and friends referred to him that way for the rest of his life. Jack's best friend as a boy was his older brother Warren. They did everything together and even created their own made-up country, Boxen, going so far as to create many individual characters and a four-hundred-year history of the country.

Lewis's mother, who had tutored him in French and Latin, died when he was ten years old. After spending a year in studies at Malvern College, a boarding school in England, he continued his education privately under a tutor named W. T. Kirkpatrick, former headmaster (principal) of Lurgan College. During World War I (1914–18), which began as a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia but eventually involved much of Europe, Lewis served as a second lieutenant in the English army, interrupting his career as a scholar that he had begun in 1918 at University College, Oxford. Wounded in the war, he returned to Oxford, where he was appointed lecturer at University College in 1924. In 1925 he was appointed fellow (performing advanced study or research) and tutor at Magdalen College, England, where he gave lectures on English literature.

Published works

In 1926 Lewis's first publication, Dymer, appeared under the pseudonym (fake writing name) Clive Hamilton. Dymer revealed Lewis's gift for satire (a work of literature that makes fun of human vice or foolishness). The Pilgrims' Regress, an allegory (an expression of truths about human existence using symbols) published in 1933, presented an apology for Christianity. It was not until the appearance of his second allegorical work, The Allegory of Love (1936), however, that Lewis was honored with the coveted Hawthornden prize.

The Screwtape Letters (1942), for which Lewis is perhaps best known, is a satire in which the devil, here known as Screwtape, writes letters teaching his young nephew, Wormwood, how to tempt humans to sin. Lewis published seven religious allegories for children titled Chronicles of Narnia (1955). He also published several scholarly works on literature, including English Literature in the 16th Century (1954) and Experiment in Criticism (1961).

Although Lewis went on to publish several works involving religion, he had lost interest in it early in life and only later "converted" to Christianity, joining the Anglican Church. His autobiography (the story of his own life), Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life, fails to explain what happened in his childhood. His headmaster in boarding school, a minister who urged him to "think" by hitting him, may have contributed to this change.

Later years

Lewis went on to become a professor of English at Cambridge University, England, in 1954. Widely read as an adult, his knowledge of literature made him much sought after for his company and conversation. Lewis thoroughly enjoyed sitting up into the late hours in college rooms talking about literature, poetry, and religion.

In 1956, rather late in life, Lewis married Joy Davidman Gresham, the daughter of a New York Jewish couple. She was a graduate of Hunter College and had previously been married twice. When her first husband suffered a heart attack, she turned to prayer. Reading the writings of Lewis, she began attending church. Later, led by his writings to Lewis himself, she divorced her second husband, Williams Gresham, and married Lewis. She died some three years before her husband. C. S. Lewis died at his home in Headington, Oxford, England, on November 24, 1963. A major collection of his works is held by Wheaton College in Illinois.

For More Information

Adey, Lionel. C. S. Lewis: Writer, Dreamer, and Mentor. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 1998.

Como, James T., ed. C. S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table and Other Reminiscences. New York: Macmillan, 1979.

Glaspey, Terry W. Not a Tame Lion: The Spiritual Legacy of C. S. Lewis. Nashville: Cumberland House, 1996.

Lewis, C. S. Surprised by Joy; the Shape of My Early Life. London: G. Bles, 1955.

Walsh, Chad. The Literary Legacy of C. S. Lewis. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1979.

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