Stepping Through the Wardrobe: The Life of C.S. Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis, known to readers everywhere as C.S. Lewis, was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1898. From the time he was a boy, he was surrounded by stories. He devoured myths, fairy tales, and legends from across cultures, and they planted the seeds for the imagination that would later make him famous. As a young man he served in World War I, where he was wounded in battle. After the war, Lewis returned to his studies at Oxford, excelling in literature and philosophy before becoming a tutor and lecturer in English.

Lewis was more than a scholar. In 1931, after years of personal searching, he embraced Christianity. Conversations with his friends, especially J.R.R. Tolkien, played a key role in that decision. His faith would go on to inspire much of his writing, from works of theology such as Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters to the imaginative fantasy that captured hearts in The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Narnia books began with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950 and quickly became a beloved series. Children entered a magical world filled with talking animals, epic battles between good and evil, and lessons about courage and kindness. Adults found depth in the stories as well, recognizing the way Lewis blended timeless adventure with deeper truths. Beyond Narnia, he also wrote poetry, science fiction, and respected works of literary criticism, showing the breadth of his talent.

C.S. Lewis passed away on November 22, 1963, the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. His influence, however, has only grown since. His books continue to sell in the millions, translated into dozens of languages, and they remain staples in classrooms, churches, and personal libraries around the world. Above all, he is remembered as a writer who showed that ordinary doors and wardrobes can lead to extraordinary places if you only have the imagination to step through.