Lost Letters of Lewis at the Lambeth Palace Library

Abstract

Three recently discovered letters from C. S. Lewis provide a window through which we can observe the Oxford don as he is first coming into national prominence during, and immediately after, World War II. They are a 1942 letter from C. S. Lewis to Archbishop William Temple and two 1946 letters from him to Canon Lewis John Collins. Lewis is seen in these letters struggling with the issue of calling or vocation, and this gives us a glimpse into his decision making at critical times both in his career and in the life of his country.