C. S. Lewis Study Pages

c. s. lewis in brief

CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) was an academic giant and literary genius, and one of the most influential Christian writers of his century. He made major contributions to literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology that brought him international renown and acclaim. He authored over thirty books for a broad range of audiences, and became world-renowned in his lifetime. Some of his most famous works include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.

Born in Belfast, Ireland, on November 29, 1898, Lewis was known to his family and friends as "Jack"--a nickname he gave himself at the age of four when a favorite dog Jacksie died. He had one brother, Warren Hamilton Lewis (1895-1973), but his mother died of cancer in 1908 when he was just nine years old. In 1913, Lewis enrolled at Malvern College for one year, and during this time he questioned his faith and became an atheist. He received a scholarship to University College, Oxford, in 1916, but left during WWI and enlisted in the British Army in 1917. He was wounded on April 15, 1918 in the Battle of Arras and discharged in December 1919.

In the army Lewis became close friends with his roommate, Paddy Moore, who was killed in 1918. After his discharge he followed through with a promise to look after Moore's mother and sister. Lewis moved in with them in 1920, and all three of them eventually moved into "The Kilns," which they purchased jointly along with Lewis's older brother, Warren.

On May 20, 1925, Lewis was appointed Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University, where he served until 1954. In 1931 Lewis converted from atheism to Christianity, and went on to become one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th century. Lewis cites his friendship with J. R. R. Tolkien, as well as the writings of the converted G. K. Chesterton, as influencing his conversion. Also while at Oxford, Lewis was the core member of the now famous literary group "The Inklings." This group was an informal twice-weekly gathering of friends that included Tolkien, Hugo Dyson, Charles Williams, Dr. Robert Havard, Owen Barfield, and Nevill Coghill, among others.

In 1956, at age 58, Lewis married an American writer named Joy Davidman Gresham. Joy died a short four years later after losing a long battle with bone cancer. Lewis cared for her two sons, Douglas and David Gresham. C. S. Lewis died at The Kilns on November 22, 1963, the same day as JFK and Aldous Huxley. His grave is located in the graveyard of the Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry, Oxford.