author
Owen Barfield
1898–1997
A thoughtful member of the Inklings, he wrote about language, imagination, and the growth of human consciousness in ways that still feel fresh. His work sits at the meeting point of philosophy, poetry, and literary criticism.
1 Audiobook
History in English words
by Owen Barfield
About the author
Born in London in 1898, Owen Barfield was an English writer, philosopher, poet, and critic who became known as a member of the Inklings, the literary circle that also included C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. He served in the First World War, later studied at Oxford, and went on to build a career that combined writing with work as a lawyer.
Barfield is especially remembered for his reflections on language, myth, and the history of consciousness. Books such as Poetic Diction and Saving the Appearances helped make him an important voice for readers interested in how words shape thought and how imagination connects with truth.
He lived a long life, dying in 1997 at the age of 99. Although sometimes less widely known than some of his famous friends, he has remained a deeply admired figure for readers drawn to big questions about meaning, perception, and the inner life.