Clive Staples Lewis, known commonly as C.S. Lewis, was a renowned writer, scholar, and Christian apologist. He was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Albert J. Lewis and Florence Augusta Lewis. Lewis had a relatively happy childhood until his mother’s death in 1908, which left a lasting impact on him.
Lewis attended Wynyard School in England and later Malvern College. He developed a keen interest in literature, mythology, and languages at a young age. In 1917, Lewis enlisted in the British Army and served in World War I. He was wounded in combat in 1918 and subsequently returned to his studies.
Lewis won a scholarship to University College, Oxford, where he studied under influential scholars such as philosopher G.E. Moore and author J.R.R. Tolkien. He obtained a triple First in Classics, Philosophy, and English in 1925. Afterward, he became a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he remained until 1954.
In the 1930s, Lewis gained recognition as a writer when he published works of fiction under the pen name Clive Hamilton. However, it was his conversion to Christianity that had the most significant impact on his life and career. His conversion was influenced by conversations with Tolkien and his friend Hugo Dyson. Lewis became a prominent Christian apologist, articulating and defending his faith through various works of literature, essays, and public speaking engagements.
One of Lewis’s most renowned works is “The Chronicles of Narnia,” a series of seven fantasy novels that began with “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in 1950. The series garnered global acclaim and has been translated into multiple languages, inspiring adaptations into films, radio plays, and stage productions. Lewis’s ability to interweave religious messages with engaging storytelling made the series popular among both children and adults.
In addition to “The Chronicles of Narnia,” Lewis wrote numerous other works throughout his career. One of his most influential non-fiction books is “Mere Christianity,” which explores the core principles of the Christian faith. His other notable works include “The Problem of Pain,” “The Screwtape Letters,” and “The Great Divorce.”
Lewis’s contributions to literature and Christian apologetics were widely recognized during his lifetime. In 1956, he was elected as a Fellow of the British Academy and named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1957. The following year, he accepted a chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, where he stayed until 1963. Additionally, Lewis was the recipient of various prestigious literary awards, including the Carnegie Medal (1956) and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1961).
Lewis passed away on November 22, 1963, one week before his 65th birthday. His books have continued to sell millions of copies worldwide, and his legacy as one of the greatest Christian apologists and fantasy authors of the 20th century endures. His ability to present complex theological concepts in accessible ways has made his works relevant across generations and has had a profound influence on both Christian and secular readers alike. As Lewis himself famously said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
