C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) was a British writer, theologian, and scholar. Best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, he also wrote The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Problem of Pain. His fiction and theological works made him one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the 20th century.
Born in Belfast, he was baptized in the Church of Ireland, but abandoned his faith as a teenager. His beliefs changed at Oxford University, where discussions with J. R. R. Tolkien led him back to Christianity. As a professor at Oxford and Cambridge, he balanced literature and theology, shaping modern Christian thought.
His literary achievements include over 30 books, translated into multiple languages. The Chronicles of Narnia became a cultural phenomenon, adapted for stage and film. His wartime BBC radio broadcasts on Christianity brought him widespread recognition.
In 1956, he married Joy Davidman, who passed away from cancer in 1960. Her illness inspired A Grief Observed, an exploration of loss and faith. He died in 1963, the same day as John F. Kennedy’s assassination. His works remain widely read, influencing literature, theology, and Christian apologetics.