C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Author of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
About the Author
C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis, "Jack" to his intimates, was born on November 29, 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. His mother died when he was 10 years old and his lawyer father allowed Lewis and his brother Warren extensive freedom. The pair were extremely close and they took full advantage of this freedom, show more learning on their own and frequently enjoying games of make-believe. These early activities led to Lewis's lifelong attraction to fantasy and mythology, often reflected in his writing. He enjoyed writing about, and reading, literature of the past, publishing such works as the award-winning The Allegory of Love (1936), about the period of history known as the Middle Ages. Although at one time Lewis considered himself an atheist, he soon became fascinated with religion. He is probably best known for his books for young adults, such as his Chronicles of Narnia series. This fantasy series, as well as such works as The Screwtape Letters (a collection of letters written by the devil), is typical of the author's interest in mixing religion and mythology, evident in both his fictional works and nonfiction articles. Lewis served with the Somerset Light Infantry in World War I; for nearly 30 years he served as Fellow and tutor of Magdalen College at Oxford University. Later, he became Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University. C.S. Lewis married late in life, in 1957, and his wife, writer Joy Davidman, died of cancer in 1960. He remained at Cambridge until his death on November 22, 1963. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
C. S. Lewis first published A Grief Observed under the alias "N. W. Clerk". Don't separate that name, unless there will ever be an author called N. W. Clerk turning up.
Series
Works by C. S. Lewis
The Pilgrim's Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity Reason and Romanticism (1933) 2,851 copies, 18 reviews
The Inspirational Writings of C.S. Lewis: Surprised by Joy / Reflections on the Psalms / The Four Loves / The Business… (1984) 1,700 copies, 2 reviews
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1964) 1,665 copies, 18 reviews
A Year with C. S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works (2003) — Author — 1,377 copies, 8 reviews
The Grand Miracle: And Other Selected Essays on Theology and Ethics from God in the Dock (1983) 494 copies
Mere Christianity / The Screwtape Letters / A Grief Observed / The Problem of Pain / Miracles / The Great Divorce (2003) 403 copies, 2 reviews
The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume 1: Family Letters, 1905-1931 (1882) 367 copies, 2 reviews
The Magician's Nephew / The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe / The Horse and His Boy (1989) 318 copies, 2 reviews
The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume 2: Books, Broadcasts, and the War, 1931-1949 (2004) 296 copies, 1 review
The Abolition of Man / The Great Divorce / Mere Christianity / Miracles / The Problem of Pain / The Screwtape Letters (1978) 290 copies, 1 review
The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama] (2003) 249 copies, 7 reviews
The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume 3: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy, 1950 - 1963 (2007) 218 copies
The Pilgrim's Regress / Prayer: Letter to Malcolm / Reflections on the Psalms / Till We Have Faces / The Abolition of… (2002) 145 copies
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: (Chronicles of Narnia): Activity Book (2005) 93 copies, 1 review
The C. S. Lewis - 9 Books - Signature Classics Box Set - Includes The C.S. Lewis Journal (2017) 87 copies
C. S. Lewis' Little Book of Wisdom: Meditations on Faith, Life, Love, and Literature (2018) 71 copies
From Narnia to a Space Odyssey : The War of Letters Between Arthur C. Clarke and C.S. Lewis (2003) 60 copies, 3 reviews
The Problem of Pain / The Screwtape Letters / The Great Divorce / Mere Christianity (2005) 52 copies, 1 review
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe / Prince Caspian / The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1987) 47 copies, 1 review
The Wood Between the Worlds: Adapted from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Narnia) (1999) 47 copies
C. S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity (Radio Theatre) (2013) 39 copies, 3 reviews
Tales Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (BBC Young Collection) (1990) 37 copies, 2 reviews
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia: The Classic BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations (2000) 21 copies, 1 review
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Chapter Book Box Set (Narnia) (2006) 14 copies
The Four Loves / Surprised by Joy / A Grief Observed / The Screwtape Letters / The Great Divorce / Mere Christianity (1996) 14 copies
The Complete Works of C. S. Lewis: Fantasy Classics, Science Fiction Novels, Religious Studies, Poetry, Speeches &… (2016) 14 copies
White Christmas (Chronicles of Narnia) 13 copies
C.S. Lewis' Little Instruction Book: A Classic Treasury of Timeless Wisdom and Reflection (Christian Classics Series) (1997) 12 copies
The Chronicles of Narnia vol II (2): The Horse and His Boy, The Magicians Nephew, The Last Battle, The Lion of Judah in… (1973) 11 copies
The Chronicles of Narnia WITH The Lion of Judah in Never-Never Land (The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince… (1973) 8 copies
The Chronicles of Narnia 8 copies
The C. S. Lewis Collection: Essays and Speeches: The Six Titles Include: The Weight of Glory; God in the Dock;… (2017) 7 copies
Macmillan paperbacks edition 7 copies
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 7 copies
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe | The Horse and His Boy | Prince Caspian | The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1999) 6 copies
Screwtape Proposes a Toast (Fontana Religious) — Author — 6 copies
The Chronicles of Narnia, Vol. I 5 copies
The C. S. Lewis Collection: Signature Classics and Other Major Works: The Eleven Titles Include: Mere Christianity; The… (2017) 5 copies
The Screwtape Letters (Abridged) (2 Audio Cassette Set) (Spiritual Classics On Cassette) (1988) 4 copies
The Shoddy Lands 4 copies
The Silver Chair (DVD) 3 copies
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE A Story for Children; the Chronicles of Narnia Volume 1 3 copies
L'Armoire Magique 3 copies
Hamlet: the prince or the poem 3 copies
a razao do cristianismo 3 copies
Prince Caspian 3 copies
C. S. Lewis on Punishment 3 copies
The Collected Works of C.S. Lewis 2 copies
THE LETTERS TO THE CORINTHIANS 2 copies
Understanding The Old Testament 2 copies
The Inner Ring 2 copies
World of Narnia collection 2 copies
Mark vs. Tristram 2 copies
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2 copies
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe 2 copies
Tanri'nin Uclu Birlik Dogasi 2 copies
C.S. Lewis: 55 Life Changing Lessons, Teachings and Inspirational Thoughts by C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity, The… — Author — 2 copies
The Screwtape Letters: First Ever Full-Cast Dramatization of the Diabolical Classic [With DVD] (Focus on the Family… (2009) 2 copies
Lewis new 2 copies
The Dark Tower [novella] 1 copy
The Man Born Blind 1 copy
Forms of Things Unknown 1 copy
After Ten Years 1 copy
Collected works of CS Lewis 1 copy
Oxbridge 2008 1 copy
Prefácio ao Paraíso Perdido 1 copy
Le Monde de Narnia (Tome 2) - Le lion, la sorcière blanche et l'armoire magique (French Edition) 1 copy
The Chronicles of Narnia Guided Reading Classroom Set (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) 1 copy
"The Chronicles of Narnia,"FAMILY RADIO THEATER, (19 COMPLETE AUDIO DRAMAS), 19 CD's, V.G., # 7079 1 copy
Lewis classic Museums: From the beginning of the year to the end of the year [paperback](Chinese Edition) (2006) 1 copy
裸颜 1 copy
About The Chronicles of Narnia those things: Give the kids a letter (hardcover revised edition)(Chinese Edition) (2013) 1 copy
By C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Pocket Edition (Pocket edition) [Hardcover] 1 copy
Spencer's images of life 1 copy
Le cronache di Narnia VOL2 1 copy
Collected Works of C.S. Lewis, The: The Pilgrim's Regress, Christian Reflections, God in the Dock 1 copy
A Sleepy Story 1 copy
Om forlatelse og andre essay 1 copy
The four lovers 1 copy
A tearful celebration 1 copy
Journal 1 copy
Narative Poems 1 copy
The Chronicles Of Narnia 2 1 copy
诗歌拮思 1 copy
The Dark Island 1 copy
The Silver Chalice 1 copy
Six Spiritual Classics 1 copy
The Silver Chair (full Color) — Author — 1 copy
In Our Tongues 1 copy
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Rescue of Prince Caspian [Books 5 of 5 from Chick-fil-a Kid's Meal] 1 copy
The Chronicles of Narnia, the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter's Destiny the Battle for Narnia 1 copy
Anthology 1 copy
Costly Grace 1 copy
Poetry 1 copy
Two Titles: 1) The Abolition of Man (Font, 1982); 2) Prayer: Letters to Malcolm (Fontana, 1974). 1 copy
O Trono de Prata Livro 1 1 copy
De zeebries der eeuwen 1 copy
Literature 1 copy
The Last Battle; The Horse and his Boy; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; Prince Caspian; The Silver Chair; The… (1955) 1 copy
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Silver Chair; The Magician's Nephew (1900) 1 copy
Conceptions of God 1 copy
Biographical Works: Surprised by Joy; A Grief Observed; All My Road Before Me; Letters to an American Lady; Letters (4… (2017) 1 copy
Narnia: C. S. Lewis, Die Welt Von Narnia, Die Chroniken Von Narnia: Der Konig Von Narnia, Die Chroniken Von Narnia:… (2010) 1 copy
Narunia Monogatari (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) Movie brochure 1 copy
My Godfather, Letters 1 copy
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | The Silver Chair | The Magician's Nephew | The Last Battle 1 copy
The Great Divorce 1 copy
Little Instruction Book 1 copy
Sobre cuentos, historias y literatura fantástica: ¡Para que puedas leer mejor y disfrutar más las… (2022) 1 copy
Csodák 1 copy
Associated Works
On the Incarnation: The Treatise De Incarnatione Verbi Dei (0319) — Introduction, some editions — 2,912 copies, 20 reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe [2005 film] (2005) — Original book — 1,654 copies, 21 reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian [2008 film] (2008) — Original book — 1,037 copies, 8 reviews
The Inklings: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Their Friends (1978) — Contributor — 862 copies, 13 reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [2010 film] (2010) — Original book — 844 copies, 8 reviews
Letters to Young Churches: A Translation of the New Testament Epistles (1971) — Introduction, some editions — 792 copies, 1 review
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas (2004) — Contributor — 785 copies, 11 reviews
The Assassin's Cloak: An Anthology of the World's Greatest Diarists (2000) — Contributor, some editions — 569 copies, 8 reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up: Based on the Books by C. S. Lewis (2007) — Contributor — 414 copies, 10 reviews
A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen (2009) — Contributor — 375 copies, 18 reviews
Understanding The Lord of the Rings: The Best of Tolkien Criticism (2004) — Contributor — 212 copies, 2 reviews
Taliessin through Logres, The Region of the Summer Stars, and Arthurian Torso (1938) 206 copies, 2 reviews
The Trials of Theology: Becoming a 'Proven Worker' in a Dangerous Business (2010) — Contributor — 184 copies, 2 reviews
The Moral Life: An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature (1999) — Contributor — 184 copies, 2 reviews
The Complete Four Disc Collector’s Edition: The Chronicles of Narnia (1996) — Original book — 159 copies, 1 review
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe [1988 BBC TV series] (1988) — Original book — 122 copies, 2 reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader [1989 BBC TV series] (1989) — Original book — 93 copies, 4 reviews
The Graphic Canon of Children's Literature: The World's Greatest Kids' Lit as Comics and Visuals (2014) — Contributor — 91 copies, 1 review
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair [1990 BBC TV series] (1990) — Original book — 85 copies, 1 review
A Reader's Companion to the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings (1995) — Contributor — 79 copies, 1 review
The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth: A New Diagram of Man in the Universe (1979) — Introduction — 42 copies
Major British Writers I, Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, Bacon, Donne, Milton, Dryden, Swift, Pope, Johnson, Boswell… (1954) — Contributor — 34 copies
Holding your eight hands; an anthology of science fiction verse (1970) — Contributor — 23 copies, 1 review
On Moral Medicine: Theological Perspectives in Medical Ethics (2012) — Contributor, some editions — 20 copies, 1 review
Rejser i tid og rum : en bog om science fiction (1973) — Author, some editions — 12 copies, 1 review
Interpretations of Shakespeare (British Academy Shakespeare Lectures) (1985) — Contributor — 7 copies
Dystopia Boxed Set: 18 Dystopian Classics in One Edition — Contributor — 1 copy
SFの評論大全集 (別冊奇想天外 4) — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Lewis, C. S.
- Legal name
- Lewis, Clive Staples
- Other names
- Hamilton, Clive
Clerk, N. W.
Lewis, Jack - Birthdate
- 1898-11-29
- Date of death
- 1963-11-22
- Burial location
- Holy Trinity Church, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Belfast, Ulster, Ireland
- Place of death
- Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
- Cause of death
- Kidney failure
- Places of residence
- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Malvern, Worcestershire, England, UK - Education
- University College, University of Oxford (BA|1922|BA|1923)
Wynyard School
Campbell College, Belfast
Cherbourg House Preparatory School
Malvern College
private tutors - Occupations
- novelist
essayist
short-story writer
literary critic
professor - Relationships
- Lewis, W. H. (brother)
Davidman, Joy (wife|deceased)
Gresham, Douglas H. (stepson) - Organizations
- University of Oxford (Magdalen College)
University of Cambridge (Magdalene College)
Inklings
British Army (WWI) - Awards and honors
- Carnegie Medal (1957)
Sir Israel Gollancz Prize (1937)
Fellow, British Academy (1955)
Commander, Order of the British Empire (1951 - declined) - Short biography
- Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer and lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge University (Magdalene College, 1954–1963). He is best known for his works of fiction, especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Space Trilogy, and for his non-fiction Christian apologetics, such as Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain.
Lewis and fellow novelist J. R. R. Tolkien were close friends. They both served on the English faculty at Oxford University and were active in the informal Oxford literary group known as the Inklings.[1] According to Lewis's memoir Surprised by Joy, he was baptised in the Church of Ireland, but fell away from his faith during adolescence. Lewis returned to Anglicanism at the age of 32, owing to the influence of Tolkien and other friends, and he became an "ordinary layman of the Church of England".[2] Lewis's faith profoundly affected his work, and his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him wide acclaim.
Lewis wrote more than 30 books[3] which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies. The books that make up The Chronicles of Narnia have sold the most and have been popularised on stage, TV, radio, and cinema. His philosophical writings are widely cited by Christian apologists from many denominations.
In 1956, Lewis married American writer Joy Davidman; she died of cancer four years later at the age of 45. Lewis died on 22 November 1963 from kidney failure, one week before his 65th birthday. In 2013, on the 50th anniversary of his death, Lewis was honoured with a memorial in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. - Disambiguation notice
- C. S. Lewis first published A Grief Observed under the alias "N. W. Clerk". Don't separate that name, unless there will ever be an author called N. W. Clerk turning up.
Members
Discussions
Fine Press Edition of Chronicles of Narnia? in Fine Press Forum (August 2023)
Reading That Hideous Strength in July in The Green Dragon (July 2020)
Reading Perelandra in June in The Green Dragon (July 2020)
Reading Out of the Silent Planet in May in The Green Dragon (June 2020)
Lewis Seminar in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (June 2017)
Mere Christianity in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (January 2017)
Letters to Malcom in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (December 2016)
The Four Loves in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (December 2016)
C. S. Lewis in Legacy Libraries (August 2015)
Favorite Narnia quotes in Book Quotations (December 2014)
Author Grudge Match: Roald Dahl vs. C. S. Lewis in Book talk (March 2014)
50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis' death in Christianity (November 2013)
MAY READ - SPOILERS - Till We Have Faces in The Green Dragon (May 2013)
MAY READ - NO SPOILERS - Till We Have Faces in The Green Dragon (April 2013)
The Holy Spirit in Christianity (June 2012)
April 2012: C. S. Lewis in Monthly Author Reads (May 2012)
Tolkein and Lewis in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (January 2010)
Group Read - Til We Have Faces in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 (September 2009)
C S Lewis in Philosophy and Theory (January 2008)
Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) Message Board in Friends of Jack (C.S. Lewis) (March 2007)
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 491
- Also by
- 76
- Members
- 463,499
- Popularity
- #4
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 4,509
- ISBNs
- 4,294
- Languages
- 45
- Favorited
- 1,478