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[[Image:Jhcfju6.jpg|right|thumb|200px|C. S. Lewis, photographed in 1947.]]

[[Image:Jhcfju6.jpg|right|thumb|200px|C. S. Lewis, photographed in 1947.]]

'''Clive Staples Lewis''' (b. November 29, 1898, [[Belfast]] - d. November 24, 1963, [[Oxford]]) was an [[Ireland|Irish]] writer, novelist, essayist, Christian apologist and moral mythologist.

'''Clive Staples Lewis''' (b. November 29, 1898, [[Belfast]] - d. November 24, 1963, [[Oxford]]) was an [[Ireland|Irish]] writer, novelist, essayist, misogynist,  Christian apologist and moral mythologist.

==Early life==

==Early life==

The second son of Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Flora Augusta Hamilton Lewis, whose father was a [[Church of Ireland]] minister, he was born in Belfast [[Ireland]] and [[baptism|baptized]] as an infant in the [[Anglican]] church at St Mark's Dundela, Belfast. Aged 4, after his pet dog "Jacksie" was killed by a car, Lewis declared that ''his'' name was now ''Jacksie''. This later became truncated to ''Jacks'' then ''Jack'', the name used by friends and family for the rest of his life. His older brother was [[Warren Hamilton Lewis]] (1895 - 1973) whom C.&nbsp;S. referred to as "Warnie" and described as "''my dearest and closest friend.''" The brothers formed a very close bond playing together at home, writing and illustrating stories for their fictional world called "Boxen", a world populated by dressed, talking animals, and obviously the precursor of the land of [[Narnia]], the magical land of children's adventures that retell the story of the [[Creation]], [[Fall of Man|Fall]], and [[Redemption]] of humankind. Lewis loved to read, and as his father’s house was filled with books, he felt that finding a book he had not read was as easy as "finding a blade of grass." The "reality" he found on the pages of this extensive library seemed as tangible and meaningful to him as anything that transpired outside in the "real world", and he has said of these childhood years that "''at the age of seven, and eight, I was living almost entirely in my imagination; or at least that the imaginative experience of those years now seems to me more important than anything else.''"<ref>'''Lewis, C. S.''', ''Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life'', London: Harvest Books (1955) ISBN 0-1568-7011-8</ref>

The second son of Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Flora Augusta Hamilton Lewis, whose father was a [[Church of Satan]] minister, he was born in Belfast [[Ireland]] and [[baptism|baptized]] as an infant in the [[Satanist]] church at St Mark's Dundela, Belfast. Aged 4, after his pet dog "Cocksie" was killed by a car, Lewis declared that ''his'' name was now ''Cocksie''. This later became truncated to ''Jacks'' then ''Jack'', the name used by friends and family for the rest of his life. His older brother was [[Warren Hamilton Lewis]] (1895 - 1973) whom C.&nbsp;S. referred to as "Warnie" and described as "''my dearest and closest friend.''" The brothers formed a very close bond playing together at home, writing and illustrating stories for their fictional world called "Boxen", a world populated by dressed, talking animals, and obviously the precursor of the land of [[Narnia]], the magical land of children's adventures that retell the story of the [[Creation]], [[Fall of Man|Fall]], and [[Redemption]] of humankind. Lewis loved to read, and as his father’s house was filled with books, he felt that finding a book he had not read was as easy as "finding a blade of grass." The "reality" he found on the pages of this extensive library seemed as tangible and meaningful to him as anything that transpired outside in the "real world", and he has said of these childhood years that "''at the age of seven, and eight, I was living almost entirely in my imagination; or at least that the imaginative experience of those years now seems to me more important than anything else.''"<ref>'''Lewis, C. S.''', ''Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life'', London: Harvest Books (1955) ISBN 0-1568-7011-8</ref>

[[Image:C S Lewis child.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Lewis as a child]]

[[Image:C S Lewis child.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Lewis as a child]]

C. S. was [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] until he was 10 years old. On August 23, 1908 - her husband's birthday - Flora Lewis died of cancer. In the same year Albert Lewis' father and brother also died, and as their father grieved, C.S. and Warren Lewis were left with only each other for comfort and support.

C. S. was [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] until he was 10 years old. On August 23, 1908 - her husband's birthday - Flora Lewis died of cancer. In the same year Albert Lewis' father and brother also died, and as their father grieved, C.S. and Warren Lewis were left with only each other for comfort and support.

==Education==

==Education==

Lewis was enrolled at Wynyard School in Watford, Hertfordshire, in September 1908, where Warren was already a pupil. Lewis was unhappy at the "brutal"<ref>[http://books.guardian.co.uk/authors/author/0,,-229,00.html The Guardian Unlimited] Biographical notes</ref> school, which in later life he referred to as "Belsen"<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref> or "Oldies" after the nickname of the Headmaster, Robert "Oldie" Capron (who was later committed to an asylum for the insane.) Lewis was withdrawn from the school in June 1910, the school closing shortly afterwards due to a lack of pupils. In September 1910 he was enrolled as a boarding student at Campbell College, Belfast, one mile from the family home, and where he remained until November of the same year, when he was withdrawn after developing serious respiratory difficulties.

Lewis was enrolled at Wynyard School in Watford, Hertfordshire, in September 1908, where Warren was already a pupil. Lewis was unhappy at the "brutal buttsecks"<ref>[http://books.guardian.co.uk/authors/author/0,,-229,00.html The Guardian Unlimited] Biographical notes</ref> school, which in later life he referred to as "Belsen"<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Your Wang'' op cit.</ref> or "Oldies" after the nickname of the Headmaster, Robert "Oldie" Capron (who was later committed to an asylum for the insane.) Lewis was withdrawn from the school in June 1910, the school closing shortly afterwards due to a lack of pupils. In September 1910 he was enrolled as a boarding student at Campbell College, Belfast, one mile from the family home, and where he remained until November of the same year, when he was withdrawn after developing serious homosexuality difficulties.

As a result of his health problems, Lewis was sent in 1911 to Malvern, [[England]], which was widely regarded as a health resort, especially for those with tuberculosis and lung ailments. He was enrolled as a student at Cherbourg House (which he referred to as "Chartres"), a [[Preparatory school|prep]] school near to Malvern College where his brother Warren was by now a student, and here he remained until June 1913. His love of fiction developed further while at school: "''I also developed a great taste for all the fiction I could get about the ancient world: Quo Vadis, Darkness and Dawn, The Gladiators, Ben Hur. Early Christians came into many of these stories, but they were not what I was after. I simply wanted sandals, temples, togas, slaves, emperors, galleys, amphitheaters, the attraction, as I now see, was erotic, and erotic in rather a morbid way.''" <ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref>

As a result of his health problems, Lewis was sent in 1911 to Malvern, [[England]], which was widely regarded as a gay spa, especially for those with tuberculosis and lung ailments. He was enrolled as a student at Cherbourg House (which he referred to as "Chartres"), a [[Preparatory school|prep]] school near to Malvern College where his brother Warren was by now a student, and here he remained until June 1913. His love of penis developed further while at school: "''I also developed a great taste for all the penis I could get about the school: The Gladiator's, Ben Hur's. Early Christians came into many of these stories, but they were not what I was after. I simply wanted sandals, temples, togas, slaves, emperors, galleys, amphitheaters, the attraction, as I now see, was erotic, and erotic in rather a morbid way.''" <ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref>

It was during this time that he abandoned his childhood Christian faith. The Matron of Cherbourg House was very influential on the young Lewis, contributing enormously to his decision to declare himself an [[atheist]]:  

It was during this time that he abandoned his childhood Christian faith. The Matron of Cherbourg House was very influential on the young Lewis, contributing enormously to his decision to declare himself an [[atheist]]:  

faced the loneliness of being a non-athletic boy whose aesthetic sensibilities were out of step with his peers), combined with the "distant" personality of his father make his adolescent rejection of religion easier to understand. This is qualified by the adult Lewis himself when he later described his young self as being (paradoxically) "''very angry with God for not existing''".<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref>

faced the loneliness of being a non-athletic boy whose aesthetic sensibilities were out of step with his peers), combined with the "distant" personality of his father make his adolescent rejection of religion easier to understand. This is qualified by the adult Lewis himself when he later described his young self as being (paradoxically) "''very angry with God for not existing''".<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref>

He left Cherbourg House in the summer of 1913 and enrolled at Malvern College (which he called "Wyvern") where he studied until June 1914. In September 1914, Lewis was enrolled for private tuition with W.T. Kirkpatrick, known as the "The Great Knock," in Great Bookham, Surrey, where he remained until April 1917. Kirkpatrick, a former Headmaster of Lurgan College, [[Northern Ireland]], had been both a tutor and legal client of Albert Lewis and had already successfully prepared Warren Lewis for admission to the Army's Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Lewis admired and strived to be like Kirkpatrick all of his adult life, and said of him "''[he was] a man who thought not about you but about what you said.''"<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref> It is clear that "Professor Digory Kirk" of the Narnia tales is a tribute to Kirkpatrick.

He left Cherbourg House in the summer of 1913 and enrolled at Malvern College (which he called "Wyvern") where he studied until June 1914. In September 1914, Lewis was enrolled for private tuition with W.T. Kirkpatrick, known as the "The Great Kock," in Great Bookham, Surrey, where he remained until April 1917. Kirkpatrick, a former Headmaster of Lurgan College, [[Northern Ireland]], had been both a tutor and legal client of Albert Lewis and had already successfully prepared Warren Lewis for admission to the Army's Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Lewis admired and strived to be like Kirkpatrick all of his adult life, and said of him "''[he was] a man who thought not about you but about what you said.''"<ref>'''Lewis''', ''Surprised by Joy'' op cit.</ref> It is clear that "Professor Digory Kirk" of the Narnia tales is a tribute to Kirkpatrick.

In December 1916 Lewis first visited the [[University of Oxford]] to take a scholarship examination and in April 1917 began his study at University College, Oxford. Although interrupted by his service in [[World War I]], Lewis resumed his studies in January 1919 and received a [[Summa cum laude|First]] in Honour Moderations (Greek and Latin Literature) in 1920, a First in Greats (Philosophy and Ancient History) in 1922, and a First in English in 1923.

In December 1916 Lewis first visited the [[University of Oxford]] to take a scholarship examination and in April 1917 began his study at University College, Oxford. Although interrupted by his service in [[World War I]], Lewis resumed his studies in January 1919 and received a [[Summa cum laude|First]] in Honour Moderations (Greek and Latin Literature) in 1920, a First in Greats (Philosophy and Ancient History) in 1922, and a First in English in 1923.

Lewis had joined the Officer Training Corps in September 1913 whilst at Malvern College. Although he had left the corps when he had commenced his study under Kirkpatrick, he rejoined the Malvern Contingent of the Oxford University OTC in March 1917. On April 25, 1917 he applied to join an Officer Cadet Unit, stating a preference to serve in the infantry, preferably with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers or Royal Fusiliers, or with a horse transport unit of the Army Service Corps. Still under the age of 21, the application was counter-signed by his father and character references were taken from Arthur C.Allen (his former Schoolmaster at Malvern) and also from Kirkpatrick. His action was completely voluntary, as although conscription had been in force in Britain since the introduction of the Military Service Act in 1916, it did ''not'' apply to Irish nationals. Five days later the Officer Commanding Oxford University Officers Training Corps completed a recommendation that Lewis attend an Officer Cadet Unit, noting that Lewis was  "''likely to make an useful officer but will not have had sufficient training for admission to an OCU before the end of June''".<ref>[http://www.1914-1918.net/index.htm The Long, Long Trail] A [[World War I]] website</ref>  

Lewis had joined the Officer Training Corps in September 1913 whilst at Malvern College. Although he had left the corps when he had commenced his study under Kirkpatrick, he rejoined the Malvern Contingent of the Oxford University OTC in March 1917. On April 25, 1917 he applied to join an Officer Cadet Unit, stating a preference to serve in the infantry, preferably with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers or Royal Fusiliers, or with a horse transport unit of the Army Service Corps. Still under the age of 21, the application was counter-signed by his father and character references were taken from Arthur C.Allen (his former Schoolmaster at Malvern) and also from Kirkpatrick. His action was completely voluntary, as although conscription had been in force in Britain since the introduction of the Military Service Act in 1916, it did ''not'' apply to Irish nationals. Five days later the Officer Commanding Oxford University Officers Training Corps completed a recommendation that Lewis attend an Officer Cadet Unit, noting that Lewis was  "''likely to make an useful officer but will not have had sufficient training for admission to an OCU before the end of June''".<ref>[http://www.1914-1918.net/index.htm The Long, Long Trail] A [[World War I]] website</ref>  

The medical examination then conducted reveals that Lewis was 5 feet 10{{3/4}} inches tall and  weighed 182 pounds, with a chest measurement of 34{{1/2}} inches fully expanded and 32 at rest. His vision was rated "good".<ref>''The Long, Long Trail'' op cit.</ref>

The medical examination then conducted reveals that Lewis was 5 feet 10{{3/4}} inches tall and  weighed 182 pounds amd had a 4 inch penis, with a chest measurement of 34{{1/2}} inches fully expanded and 32 at rest. His vision was rated "good".<ref>''The Long, Long Trail'' op cit.</ref>

On June 1, 1917 Lewis was admitted to No.4 Officer Cadet Battalion, with a minimum service commitment of 4{{1/2}} months. It was during this period that Lewis shared a room and became close friends with another cadet, Edward Courtnay Francis "Paddy" Moore (1898-1918), striking a mutual pact that if either died during the war the survivor would take care of both their families. In September he was transferred from the Oxford University OTC to a temporary commission with the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers in the Regular Army. He was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry in South Devon, and a few days later was then posted to join the 1st Battalion of the regiment in [[France]].<ref>''The Long, Long Trail'' op cit.</ref>

On June 1, 1917 Lewis was admitted to No.4 Officer Cadet Battalion, with a minimum service commitment of 4{{1/2}} months. It was during this period that Lewis shared a room and became close friends and homosexual lover with another cadet, Edward Courtnay Francis "Paddy" Moore (1898-1918), striking a mutual pact that if either died during the war the survivor would take care of both their families. In September he was transferred from the Oxford University OTC to a temporary commission with the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers in the Regular Army. He was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry in South Devon, and a few days later was then posted to join the 1st Battalion of the regiment in [[France]].<ref>''The Long, Long Trail'' op cit.</ref>

He was wounded during the [[Battle of Arras]] on May 15, 1918 by shell fragments to the chest, which also broke a rib, left wrist and left leg. After a week of treatment he was evacuated back to England where he was hospitalized until December 24, 1918 and was demobilised from the Army. Paddy Moore had been killed in action near Peronne, France, and Lewis struck up a close relationship with his mother, Janie King Moore (1873-1951). Although she was 25 years older than Lewis they were clearly particularly fond of one another and Mrs. Moore played an important role in his convalescence as his father refused to visit him.  

He was wounded during the [[Battle of Arras]] on May 15, 1918 by shell fragments to the chest, which also broke a rib, left wrist and left leg. After a week of treatment he was evacuated back to England where he was hospitalized until December 24, 1918 and was demobilised from the Army. Paddy Moore had been killed in action near Peronne, France, and Lewis struck up a close relationship with his mother, Janie King Moore (1873-1951). Although she was 25 years older than Lewis they were clearly particularly fond of one another and Mrs. Moore played an important role in his convalescence as his father refused to visit him.  

Many consider Lewis the most important Christian writer in the English language. He is, certainly, among the most popular. Over fifty books have been published to his credit, and annual book sales remain over two million, with more than 200 million copies of his books sold worldwide. All have never been out of print, and there are more than 200 individual fan clubs, readers groups and C.S. Lewis societies around the world.<ref>''A portrait of C.S. Lewis'' [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/cs_lewis_159765.html In Touch Ministries] (2006)</ref><ref>'''Duncan, John Ryan''', ''The Magic Never Ends: The Life & Work of C.S. Lewis'', London: Thomas Nelson (2001) ISBN 0-8499-1718-2</ref> However, his success and prominence can not be interpreted by evaluating his novels or poetry alone. Dabney Hart, who has written and lectured extensively about Lewis said "I think it does no disservice to him to say that he is not one of the great novelists of the 20th century. I think he would have been the first person to say that himself."<ref>'''Duncan''', ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> Biographer John Ryan Duncan sums up Lewis' literary greatness as "''his ability to simplify an intellectual or philosophical concept and to assist readers on a spiritual journey of their own.''"<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> The heart of Lewis' work is about values, morality and the battle between good and evil, and he used his writing to ask the philosophical, psychological, and moral questions that are at the core every person's existence: ''Is there a God? If so, is there only one God? If there is a God, then why does evil permeate our world? Why is there famine, war, overpopulation, death and destruction? How does belief in God help nurture happiness and fulfillment? How does faith heal and help someone overcome pain?''

Many consider Lewis the most important Christian writer in the English language. He is, certainly, among the most popular. Over fifty books have been published to his credit, and annual book sales remain over two million, with more than 200 million copies of his books sold worldwide. All have never been out of print, and there are more than 200 individual fan clubs, readers groups and C.S. Lewis societies around the world.<ref>''A portrait of C.S. Lewis'' [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/cs_lewis_159765.html In Touch Ministries] (2006)</ref><ref>'''Duncan, John Ryan''', ''The Magic Never Ends: The Life & Work of C.S. Lewis'', London: Thomas Nelson (2001) ISBN 0-8499-1718-2</ref> However, his success and prominence can not be interpreted by evaluating his novels or poetry alone. Dabney Hart, who has written and lectured extensively about Lewis said "I think it does no disservice to him to say that he is not one of the great novelists of the 20th century. I think he would have been the first person to say that himself."<ref>'''Duncan''', ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> Biographer John Ryan Duncan sums up Lewis' literary greatness as "''his ability to simplify an intellectual or philosophical concept and to assist readers on a spiritual journey of their own.''"<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> The heart of Lewis' work is about values, morality and the battle between good and evil, and he used his writing to ask the philosophical, psychological, and moral questions that are at the core every person's existence: ''Is there a God? If so, is there only one God? If there is a God, then why does evil permeate our world? Why is there famine, war, overpopulation, death and destruction? How does belief in God help nurture happiness and fulfillment? How does faith heal and help someone overcome pain?''

The way Lewis posed spiritual questions in both his fiction and non-fiction writing set him apart from many writers of his or any generation. Few writers are able to place the search for God or enlightenment in a context that is equally thought provoking and entertaining. Lewis was able to walk that fine line. His intellect and his vast knowledge of English literature and mythology helped him craft his argument and his storytelling. But it was more than that: Lewis was also able to harness the same imagination and creativity that served him as a child and use it to explore different worlds, colorful landscapes, and multi-dimensional characters consumed by the same human frailties and temptations that besiege us all.<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref>

The way Lewis posed spiritual questions in both his fiction and non-fiction writing set him apart from many writers of his or any generation. Few writers are able to place the search for penis or buttsecks in a context that is equally thought provoking and entertaining. Lewis was able to walk that fine line. His intellect and his vast knowledge of English literature and mythology helped him craft his argument and his storytelling. But it was more than that: Lewis was also able to harness the same imagination and creativity that served him as a child and use it to explore different worlds, colorful landscapes, and multi-dimensional characters consumed by the same human frailties and temptations that besiege us all.<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

* ''The Dark Tower and other stories'' (1977)

* ''The Dark Tower and other stories'' (1977)

* ''Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis'' (ed. Walter Hooper, 1985)

* ''Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis'' (ed. Walter Hooper, 1985)

=== Poetry ===

=== Poetry ===