C.S. Lewis was born as Clive Staples Lewis in Belfast, Ireland, on November 29, 1898, to Albert J. Lewis and Florence August Hamilton Lewis. He had an older brother named Warren. 

Early Life

His parents raised Lewis as a Christian and instilled a love of literature within him. Lewis lost his mother when he was ten and attended Wynyard School in Watford, Hertfordshire, that same year. Lewis enrolled in Campbell College in 1910 but left due to respiratory problems.

Shortly after, Lewis moved to Malvern, England, to find treatment for his health in 1911 and attended the prep school Cherbourg House. He abandoned his Christian upbringing and remained at Cherbourg House until 1913, where he moved to Malvern College. At Malvern, Lewis met his life-long friend Arthur Greeves and studied literature under W.T. Kirkpatrick, later earning a scholarship to University College in Oxford, England.

World War I

At 19, Lewis enlisted in the British army to fight in the war. He befriended a man named Paddy Moore during his time there. In 1918, during the Battle of Arras, Lewis was injured by shell shrapnel. After he recovered, the military discharged Lewis, and he went home. Lewis moved in with Paddy’s mother and sister in 1919 to take care of them after Paddy’s death in battle.

Later Years

Lewis continued his studies at University College in Oxford, England. Plagued by the memories of war, Lewis published his first story, Spirits in Bondage (1919), under the pen name Clive Hamilton. After graduating from University College, Lewis accepted a fellowship teaching position at Magdalen College as a tutor of Literature and English in 1925. He remained at the school for 29 years. During that time, Lewis befriended J.R.R. Tolkien, reclaimed his Christian roots, and embraced a story writing career.

Lewis wrote many books centered around Christianity, fantasy, and science fiction, including The Chronicles of Narnia series. He gave speeches about the teachings of Christianity, won many awards for his stories, and served as an inspirational figure for many people. 

On November 22, 1963, C.S. Lewis died of kidney failure at his home in Headington, Oxford.