Someone recently asked me if there’s a list Lewis’ characters and their real-life inspirations. I could think of one, so I thought I’d put up a list here which I could come back to from time-to-time…
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Lucy Pevensie: There appear to be a couple of sources of inspiration for this character. The first is actress Lady June Flewett who stayed at the Kilns during the war. The second is Lewis’ goddaughter, Lucy Barfield, child of his friend and fellow Inkling, Owen Barfield.
Professor Kirke: William T. Kirkpatrick, who tutored Lewis to prepare him for Oxford. Some people also point to J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Eustace Scrubb: Lewis himself!
The Silver Chair
Puddleglum: Fred Paxford, Lewis’ gardener.
The Horse and His Boy
Cor and Corin: David and Douglas Gresham.
Out of the Silent Planet
Edwin Ransom: J.R.R. Tolkien
