C. S. Lewis, as many of us Narnia fans are aware, taught English Literature through most of his life. In his later years, Cambridge University gave him the chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature.
My question then is, did Lewis actually go through a Medieval Studies Program? If not was this an honor attributed to him by Cambridge University. As I've never read about Lewis being a professional Medievalist, I was curious if he was. Tolkien was certainly a Medievalist, and I was wondering if Lewis was as well.
For those of you that not read The Discarded Image, you really need too! It is one of my favorite books from Lewis.
Was C. S Lewis an academic Medievalist by education?
Moderators: coracle, Lady Arwen
5 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: Was C. S Lewis an academic Medievalist by education?
C.S.Lewis was responsible for writing an important textbook on Medieval and Renaissance literature, more exactly, Sixteenth Century.
He wrote the volume as part of the Oxford History of English Literature: Excluding Drama.
https://www.amazon.com/English-Literature-Sixteenth-Century-Excluding/dp/0198812981
He knew what he was writing about, having got three Firsts in his undergraduate degree, one of them English. Two years later he became a Fellow and
Tutor in English Literature at the university.
He wrote the volume as part of the Oxford History of English Literature: Excluding Drama.
https://www.amazon.com/English-Literature-Sixteenth-Century-Excluding/dp/0198812981
He knew what he was writing about, having got three Firsts in his undergraduate degree, one of them English. Two years later he became a Fellow and
Tutor in English Literature at the university.
“Not all of us can choose what we give up. The things we love are taken or are never ours at all. If we’re lucky, life is defined not by what we let go, but what we let in: friendship and kind words, frailty and hope.”
From 'Call The Midwife', S9 Ep2
From 'Call The Midwife', S9 Ep2
-
coracle - NarniaWeb's Auntie
- Posts: 20470
- Joined: Feb 10, 2004
- Location: New Zealand
- Gender: Female
Re: Was C. S Lewis an academic Medievalist by education?
Yes, I actually wrote a little biography about C.S. Lewis for one of my college projects, and I remember including his contributions to the field of Medieval literature, which even I had not known up to that point! He was such an interesting fellow.
"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!"
- Dr. Seuss
Avatar by Wunderkind_Lucy
- Dr. Seuss
Avatar by Wunderkind_Lucy
-
mm1991 - Posts: 2886
- Joined: Oct 23, 2007
- Location: Chicagoland
- Gender: Female
Re: Was C. S Lewis an academic Medievalist by education?
I actually have a collection of essays Lewis wrote on Medieval/Renaissance Literature, published posthumously by Walter Hooper. Pretty scholarly stuff, but I have never seen Medieval Literature among his credentials as a professor or student. I suspect that was just his interest.
PM me to join the Search for the Seven Swords!
Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
signature by aileth
Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
signature by aileth
-
Cleander - Posts: 805
- Joined: Oct 25, 2018
- Location: Languishing in a Deep Dark Hole
- Gender: Male
Re: Was C. S Lewis an academic Medievalist by education?
That above comment is my point, yes I know Lewis taught English Literature. But does anyone know if he went into a Medieval Studies program?
For those of you not aware, Medieval Studies is an academic program that often serves as a double major to those from one field to another.
For those of you not aware, Medieval Studies is an academic program that often serves as a double major to those from one field to another.
-
jewel - Posts: 160
- Joined: Apr 21, 2013
- Location: knoxville
- Gender: Male
5 posts • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest