C.S. Lewis, whose full name was Clive Staples Lewis, was an acclaimed British author, academic, and lay theologian born in 1898 in Belfast, Ireland.
He is perhaps best known for his children’s fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, but his prolific career spanned many genres, including apologetics, poetry, literary criticism, and science fiction.
Educated at Malvern College and then at University College, Oxford, he went on to teach as a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford from 1925 to 1954. His time at Oxford was marked by his conversion from atheism to Christianity, which had a profound influence on his writing. Here, he became part of the informal literary discussion group known as the Inklings, alongside figures such as J.R.R. Tolkien.
His Narnia series, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950, has become a cornerstone of children’s literature. These books are imbued with Christian symbolism, reflecting his deep faith.
In addition to his fiction, he made significant contributions to Christian apologetics, most notably in Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Miracles. His work continues to be highly influential in Christian circles and beyond.
He died on 22 November 1963, the same day that U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
