C.S. Lewis, born Clive Staples Lewis on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is best known for his contributions to literature, particularly his works on Christian apologetics and his fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis’s early life was marked by tragedy when his mother passed away from cancer in 1908, an event that deeply affected him. Soon after, he was sent to boarding schools in England, experiences that he would later describe as lonely and harsh.
Lewis developed an early love for literature and mythology, which was further nurtured when he became a student at Oxford University in 1917. However, his education was interrupted by World War I, where he served as a lieutenant in the British Army. Wounded during the Battle of Arras in 1918, Lewis returned to Oxford to complete his studies after the war. He earned degrees in philosophy, literature, and history and later became a fellow and tutor at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he taught English literature for nearly three decades.
Despite being raised in a religious family, Lewis became an atheist during his teenage years. However, in his early 30s, influenced by friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, he reconverted to Christianity in 1931. This profound change led him to write numerous works defending the faith, including Mere Christianity (1952), The Problem of Pain (1940), and The Screwtape Letters (1942). These writings established him as one of the most influential Christian apologists of the 20th century.
In addition to his religious works, Lewis achieved global fame for his imaginative fiction. The Chronicles of Narnia, a seven-book series published between 1950 and 1956, is a blend of fantasy, Christian allegory, and moral lessons. The series has captivated millions of readers and has been adapted into films, television series, and stage plays. Other notable fictional works include The Space Trilogy, a science fiction series that explores moral and spiritual themes.
Lewis’s personal life took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 57, he married Joy Davidman, an American writer. Their relationship was deeply affectionate, though brief, as Davidman was diagnosed with cancer soon after their marriage. Her death in 1960 had a profound impact on Lewis, which he expressed in his deeply moving work A Grief Observed (1961).
In 1954, Lewis left Oxford to accept a chair at Cambridge University, where he continued his academic and literary work. He was known for his humility, wit, and willingness to engage in public debate, especially regarding issues of faith and reason.
C.S. Lewis passed away on November 22, 1963, the same day as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. His works, spanning philosophy, religion, and fiction, continue to influence readers worldwide. His legacy as a scholar, apologist, and storyteller endures, with The Chronicles of Narnia remaining a beloved part of children's literature and his theological writings a cornerstone of Christian thought.