The Man Behind the Magic

You’re probably familiar with a land where children and beasts converse as equals, where school kids serve as kings and queens and where a good lion and an evil witch wrestle for power. But how much do you know about the man who envisioned Narnia?

Clive Staples Lewis was born into a Christian family in Belfast, Ireland, on November 29, 1898. Lewis’ parents, Albert and Florence, had a passion for literature and encouraged their children to read regularly. C.S. Lewis and his older brother Warren would make many trips into the large family library. The family was literally surrounded by piles and piles of books.

Before C.S. Lewis had even reached school age, he decided that “Clive Staples” wouldn’t do. He insisted that family and friends call him “Jacksie.” The name “Jack” stuck.

In 1905 Jack’s brother was sent off to boarding school in England. Jack was the only child in the house and turned more and more to books for adventure. He even started writing some of his own fantasy tales.

A Tragic Loss

Just before Jack’s 10th birthday, his mother became very ill and died of cancer. Young Jack mourned deeply for her. His father never recovered from his wife’s death, and the Lewis household was never as warm and happy again. Jack began to doubt God and even question His kindness.

Jack had to mature quickly. Shortly after his mother passed away, Jack was sent to the boarding school that his brother Warren attended. The school would not prove to be a warm memory for Jack. He found his headmaster horrible, the conditions barely livable and the school generally dreary. Jack and Warren’s only escape was through storytelling.

Fortunately for Jack, the boarding school was shut down two years after his entrance. He and Warren were able to attend schools closer to home, and he enjoyed the comforts of the countryside again.

Due to the tragedy in Jack’s life, by 1912 he was a self-proclaimed atheist. Losing his mother and being estranged from his father gave Jack little comfort in life.

However, in his teenage years Jack was tutored by W.T. Kirkpatrick, a friend of the family and a brilliant scholar. Kirkpatrick took a genuine interest in Jack and demanded high academic work of him. Jack read classic literature, learned to think rationally and was encouraged in his writing skills. Though Jack’s critical thinking only reinforced his atheism, later as a college student at Oxford University he was challenged to re-think the concept of a universe without God.

The Crucial Decision

Jack’s college roommate, Paddy Moore, was killed on the frontlines in World War I. Out of loyalty to his friend, Jack looked after the Moore family. One family member suffered from a neurological war injury and was often tormented by visions of hell. These visions made Jack question his carefree lifestyle and ponder evil in the world.

Throughout Jack’s time at Oxford, he kept meeting brilliant Christians who tested his beliefs. One friend was J.R.R. Tolkien who would later write the Lord of the Rings. Conversations with respected Christians led Jack to a choice: follow the logic of atheism or submit to the faith of Christianity.

In 1929 at age 31, Jack admitted to God’s existence and prayed. Within two years he had also accepted Christ as Savior and become active in the Church of England.

Having once been devoted to secular poetry, Jack now pursued writing to proclaim the Christian faith. For the next 30 years, Jack would tirelessly write books to nudge the unbelieving toward God. Achieving popularity in both Britain and abroad, C.S. Lewis may be most widely renowned for the beloved tales The Chronicles of Narnia .

Narnia started at a logical place—children. During World War II Jack and brother Warren lived together in the countryside. To escape the war many families fled from London. Jack and Warren gave families safe haven, including taking in three children. To entertain the kids, Jack made up stories. These stories turned into The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the entire Narnia series.

Though, along with his popularity, Jack’s income skyrocketed in the 1940s, he refused to increase his meager standard of living. His royalties went to charitable ventures, including poverty relief, ministry efforts and education funds.

At Last

The solitary writer finally fell in love rather late in life. Jack became acquainted with Joy Gresham because she became a Christian partly due to his writings. Joy and her two sons visited Jack in England. The two shared an interest in literature and charity and soon fell in love. They were married in 1956.

Joy spurred Jack on in his writings and brought new ideas to the table, particularly since she was raised Jewish. Their happy marriage was cut short, though, because Joy fell seriously ill from cancer. She died in 1960. Jack adopted her two teenage sons.

Jack continued to write and teach until he contracted a bone disease. He died just before his 65th birthday on November 22, 1963.

Though C.S. Lewis’ life was filled with much tragedy, he found hope in an ever-gracious Savior. His hope was passed on throughout generations and will continue to be throughout generations to come.