Changes

Lewis was enrolled at Wynyard School in Watford, Hertfordshire, in Sptember 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 Lewis was withdrawn from the school in June 1910, the school closing shortly afterwards due to a lack of pupils.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College, Belfast, one mile from the family home, and where he remained until November of the same year, when he was withdrawn after developing serious respiratory difficulties.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 Sptember 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 Lewis was withdrawn from the school in June 1910, the school closing shortly afterwards due to a lack of pupils.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College, Belfast, one mile from the family home, and where he remained until November of the same year, when he was withdrawn after developing serious respiratory difficulties.

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 [[tubercolosis]] 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, where "''[...]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 health resort, especially for those with tubercolosis 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>

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 19 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]].

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 19 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.

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.

==Military service==

==Military service==

Lewis had joined the [[Officer Training Corps]] in September 1913 whilst at Malvern College. Although he had left it when he had commenced his study with 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 Officers 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 Officers 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, 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 [[Devon|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 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, Jane King Moore (1873-1951). Athough, at 45, she was 27 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). Athough, at 45, she was 27 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.  

==''The Kilns''==

==''The Kilns''==

In the the summer of 1920, Mrs. Moore and her daughter Maureen moved to Oxford and rented a house in Headington Quarry. Lewis lived with the Moores from June 1921 onward. In August 1930, they all moved to ''Hillsboro'', Headington. In October 1930, Mrs. Moore, Lewis, and Warren Lewis, by now an Army Major, purchased ''The Kilns'' jointly, with title to the property being taken solely in the name of Mrs. Moore and the two brothers holding rights of life tenancy. Major Lewis retired from the military and moved in to the ''The Kilns'' in 1932.  The nature of the relationship between Lewis and Mrs. Moore has been the subject of much speculation, although it is most likely that he looked to her as a surrogate for his own dead mother, and she likewise for her dead son. Lewis' stepson Douglas Gresham stated in his biography of Lewis that the relationship "''will remain a mystery''".<ref>'''Gresham, Douglas''', ''Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis'' London: Collins (1988) ISBN 0-0606-3447-2</ref> That he regarded her as an adoptive mother, and felt a filial duty towards her, became more apparent in later life, when Mrs. Moore became "''difficult, demanding, and eventually demented''"<ref>'''Jenkyns, Richard''', ''The Faerie King: The Passion According to C. S. Lewis'' published in [http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20051226&s=jenkyns122605 ''The New Republic''] (2005) </ref> due to Alzheimer's Disease. In 1950 she was moved into a nursing home nearby. Lewis visited her every day, even turning down speaking engagements so as not to disappoint her. On  her death in 1951 he said:  

In the the summer of 1920, Mrs. Moore and her daughter Maureen moved to Oxford and rented a house in Headington Quarry. Lewis lived with the Moores from June 1921 onward. In August 1930, they all moved to ''Hillsboro'', Headington. In October 1930, Mrs. Moore, Lewis, and Warren Lewis, by now an Army Major, purchased ''The Kilns'' jointly, with title to the property being taken solely in the name of Mrs. Moore and the two brothers holding rights of life tenancy. Built in 1922, ''The Kilns'' was a modest twelve-room brick cottage. Warren said later: "''Jack and I went out and saw the place on Sunday morning, and I instantly caught the infection: we did not go inside the house, but the eight acre garden is such stuff as dreams are made of.''"<ref>'''Lewis, Warren H'''., ''Brothers and Friends: The Diaries of Major Warren Hamilton Lewis''  London, Harper & Row (ed. Clyde S. Kilbey and Marjorie Lamp Mead, 1982)</ref>

 

 

Major Lewis retired from the military and moved in to the ''The Kilns'' in 1932.  The nature of the relationship between Lewis and Mrs. Moore has been the subject of much speculation, although it is most likely that he looked to her as a surrogate for his own dead mother, and she likewise for her dead son. Lewis' stepson Douglas Gresham stated in his biography of Lewis that the relationship "''will remain a mystery''".<ref>'''Gresham, Douglas''', ''Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis'' London: Collins (1988) ISBN 0-0606-3447-2</ref> That he regarded her as an adoptive mother, and felt a filial duty towards her, became more apparent in later life, when Mrs. Moore became "''difficult, demanding, and eventually demented''"<ref>'''Jenkyns, Richard''', ''The Faerie King: The Passion According to C. S. Lewis'' published in [http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20051226&s=jenkyns122605 ''The New Republic''] (2005) </ref> due to Alzheimer's Disease. In 1950 she was moved into a nursing home nearby. Lewis visited her every day, even turning down speaking engagements so as not to disappoint her. On  her death in 1951 he said:  

{{cquote|There has been a great change in my life owing to the death of the old lady I called my mother. She died, without apparent pain after many months of semi-conscious existence, and it would be hypocritical to pretend that it was a grief to us.}}

{{cquote|There has been a great change in my life owing to the death of the old lady I called my mother. She died, without apparent pain after many months of semi-conscious existence, and it would be hypocritical to pretend that it was a grief to us.}}

Between October 1924 and May 1925, Lewis held the post of philosophy tutor at University College, Oxford while the permanent tutor, E.F. Carritt, took an absence for study leave in the [[United States of America|America]]. Lewis had earlier been published for the first time, when the February 1919 issue of the popular British newspaper ''Reveille'' carried his poem "Death in Battle." That same year, a collection of his poems, ''Spirits in Bondage'', was published, under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton.  

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' 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 circle of literary friends he met through his time at Magdalen College became an informal discussion society known as the "Inklings", and included [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, as well as his brother Warren. The Inklings gathered regularly at "The Eagle and Child" public house where they drank beer, discussed philosophy, and critiqued each other's work. They also met informally in Lewis' rooms at the college. Both Tolkien and Lewis shared their classic works with The Inklings during the writing stage, including Tolkien's [[The Lord of the Rings]] and Lewis' [[The Chronicles of Narnia]].