C.S. Lewis was a British writer, literary scholar, and lay theologian, widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century. Born in Belfast, Ireland, he taught at both Oxford and Cambridge universities, specializing in medieval and Renaissance literature. Though raised in a Christian family, Lewis became an atheist during his youth before reconverting to Christianity in 1931, an experience that profoundly shaped his literary and spiritual writings.
Lewis is best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved series of seven fantasy novels including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which has sold over one hundred million copies worldwide and been translated into dozens of languages. His other major works include the science fiction "Space Trilogy" (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength), the satirical theological novel The Screwtape Letters, and the allegorical retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, Till We Have Faces. He also produced influential works of Christian apologetics, such as Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain.
A close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis was a member of the celebrated literary group the Inklings. His imaginative storytelling and intellectual depth continue to inspire readers of all generations.