C.S. Lewis

Who Was C.S. Lewis?

C.S. Lewis, a distinguished writer and scholar, held a notable position at Oxford University and gained recognition as a prominent Christian apologist. He employed logic and philosophy to articulate and defend the principles of his faith. Lewis is perhaps best known globally for his beloved Chronicles of Narnia series, a collection of fantasy novels that have been adapted into various films for both large and small screens.

Early Life

Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland, to Flora August Hamilton Lewis and Albert J. Lewis. As a child, he asserted that his name was Jack, a moniker that became familiar among family and friends. He shared a close bond with his older brother, Warren, and the two siblings often immersed themselves in imaginative play. Their shared fascination with fantastical creatures and tales of heroism led them to create the imaginary land of Boxen, which they developed with a rich backstory over the years.

Tragedy struck when Lewis’s mother passed away when he was just ten years old. Subsequently, he pursued his education at various boarding schools and under private tutelage. During World War I, Lewis served in the British Army, but his service was cut short due to injuries sustained from shrapnel. Following his recovery, he chose to live with Janie Moore, the mother of a fallen comrade, embracing the role of a surrogate son in a time of personal upheaval.

Teaching Career at Oxford and Wartime Broadcasts

C.S. Lewis, an esteemed scholar, graduated from Oxford University with a focus on literature and classical philosophy. In 1925, he was appointed to a fellowship at Magdalen College, a constituent college of Oxford. It was during this period that he became affiliated with The Inklings, an informal assembly of writers and intellectuals, which included notable figures such as his brother Warren Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Engaging in profound discussions with fellow members of The Inklings catalyzed Lewis’s return to Christianity, a faith he had previously forsaken in his youth. This transformative experience ultimately inspired him to become a prominent apologist, celebrated for articulating his spiritual convictions through logical and philosophical frameworks.

Lewis’s literary career commenced with the publication of Spirits in Bondage in 1919, followed by the satirical poem Dymer in 1926. He gained further recognition with works such as The Allegory of Love (1936), which earned him the prestigious Hawthornden Prize. In 1938, he introduced his first science fiction novel, Out of the Silent Planet, the inaugural installment of a space trilogy that subtly explored themes of sin and desire. During World War II, Lewis became a prominent voice on the radio, delivering popular broadcasts on Christianity that garnered a wide audience and facilitated many conversions. These addresses were later compiled into his influential work, Mere Christianity.

Books and Film Legacy

Lewis was a prolific author, producing a substantial body of work in both fiction and nonfiction throughout his career. His theological writings, including The Great Divorce (1946) and Miracles (1947), are esteemed by theologians, scholars, and general readers alike. His satirical novel, The Screwtape Letters (1942), remains a cherished classic. In his later years, Lewis continued to explore classical mythology and narratives; his novel Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold (1956) reimagines the story of Psyche and Cupid. Additionally, he penned an autobiography, Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (1955), detailing his personal journey.

Lewis’s landmark series, The Chronicles of Narnia, has inspired numerous film adaptations, including a 1979 animated version of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and a film series that commenced in 1989. A major live-action adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was released in 2005, featuring Tilda Swinton as the White Witch and Liam Neeson voicing Aslan. The cinematic universe of Narnia expanded with subsequent films, Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). Plans for a film adaptation of The Silver Chair were announced, with filming expected to begin in winter 2018.

Additionally, Lewis’s poignant relationship with his wife, Joy, has been dramatized in Shadowlands, presented as both a play and two film adaptations. The latter, directed by Richard Attenborough, features Anthony Hopkins in the role of Lewis, capturing the depth of their relationship.

The Chronicles of Narnia

In the 1940s, C.S. Lewis began crafting the seven books that would form The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved children’s series. The inaugural installment, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, was published in 1950. This enchanting narrative follows four siblings who, amidst the backdrop of wartime, discover a passage through an armoire leading to the magical realm of Narnia. This land is teeming with mythical creatures and sentient animals, offering readers a rich tapestry of adventure. Throughout the series, Lewis weaves in various Biblical themes, prominently featuring Aslan, the lion and sovereign of Narnia, who has been interpreted as a Christ-like figure. Although Lewis maintained that his Narnian tales were not intended as a direct allegory for real-world events, the parallels have often been drawn.

Despite facing some critical backlash, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe resonated with readers, and the series maintained its international popularity for decades.

Marriage

In 1954, Lewis accepted a position as a literature professor at Cambridge University. Two years later, in 1956, he married Joy Gresham, an American English teacher with whom he had developed a correspondence. Their marriage brought Lewis great joy; however, Gresham succumbed to cancer in 1960, leaving him in profound sorrow. He articulated his grief in A Grief Observed, published under a pseudonym.

Death

In 1963, Lewis stepped down from his role at Cambridge due to heart complications. He passed away on November 22, 1963, in Headington, Oxford, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire readers around the world.