C. S. Lewis

Date of Birth: November 29, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: November 22, 1963

Biography

Clive Staples Lewis, commonly known as C. S. Lewis, was born in Belfast, Ireland, on November 29, 1898. He was a prolific writer, theologian, and professor, best known for his works of fiction, especially “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, and his Christian apologetics, such as “Mere Christianity,” “The Screwtape Letters,” and “The Great Divorce.” Lewis was educated at various institutions, including Campbell College in Belfast and Malvern College in Worcestershire. He later attended University College, Oxford, where he achieved a First in Honour Moderations (Greek and Latin literature) and Greats (philosophy and ancient history). During World War I, Lewis served in the British Army and was wounded in action. After the war, he returned to Oxford, where he became a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Magdalen College. In 1954, he was appointed to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University. Lewis’s conversion to Christianity in 1931 had a profound impact on his writing and life. His works on Christian apologetics have been highly influential, addressing both believers and skeptics. His fictional works, particularly “The Chronicles of Narnia,” have captivated readers with their imaginative and allegorical storytelling. C. S. Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American writer, in 1956. Their relationship was the subject of the film “Shadowlands.” Joy’s death in 1960 deeply affected Lewis, leading him to write “A Grief Observed,” a poignant reflection on loss and faith. Lewis passed away on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, England, the same day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. His legacy continues to endure through his extensive body of work, which remains widely read and studied.

5 Interesting Facts about C. S. Lewis

1. C. S. Lewis was a close friend of J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of “The Lord of the Rings.” They were both members of the informal literary group known as the Inklings.

2. “The Chronicles of Narnia” series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 47 languages.

3. Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham, has been actively involved in the adaptations of “The Chronicles of Narnia” into film.

4. Despite being an atheist in his early years, Lewis converted to Christianity at the age of 32, influenced by friends like Tolkien.

5. Lewis’s book “Mere Christianity” was originally a series of BBC radio talks given during World War II.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from C. S. Lewis

1. “We are what we believe we are.”

2. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

3. “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.”

4. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’”

5. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death, C. S. Lewis’s estate was valued at approximately £37,772, which would be equivalent to several million dollars today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

C. S. Lewis did not have biological children of his own, but he was the stepfather to Joy Davidman’s two sons from her previous marriage, Douglas Gresham and David Gresham.