About the Society

The Oxford University C. S. Lewis Society was founded in 1982 and promotes interest in and knowledge of the works of C. S. Lewis: theology, fiction, literary criticism, philosophy, poetry. The Society is interested not as much in Lewis as a man as in the world he inhabited and the intellectual and spiritual colleagues he knew and admired. These include J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Dorothy L. Sayers, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, T.S. Eliot, Owen Barfield and others. The Christian faith which lies at the heart of Lewis’ work, and that of his friends, necessarily plays a large part in the discussions, but the Society does not aim to evangelise and not all members are Christians.

The Society endeavours to cover a wide range of subjects at its meetings, the core of the term's activities being the speaker meetings, at which guest speakers talk about one of the authors, or some other related topic, from a personal or scholarly point of view.

Meetings are usually held in Pusey House on Tuesday evenings of Full Term. The Society continues the tradition of the Inklings by retiring after most meetings to the ‘Eagle and Child’ for general discussion. As well as speakers, there are informal meetings, poetry and prose readings, and occasional outings to country pubs. Membership is not restricted to members of the University.