Owen Barfield (1898–1997) was one of the twentieth century's most insightful writers and philosophers. His ideas informed the thinking and writing of influential authors such as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien who were fellow members of the Inklings, an Oxford group of scholars.

As a leading anthroposophist in the English-speaking world, Barfield was especially interested in the evolution of human consciousness, exploring its development through the history of language.

Thinkers and writers central to Barfield’s work include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Rudolf Steiner. Although best known for his non-fiction, such as Poetic Diction and Saving the Appearances, Barfield also wrote poetry, fiction, and plays.

T. S. Eliot, W. H. Auden, Howard Nemerov, and Saul Bellow are among those who have praised Barfield’s writing, and Barfield is often described as having a prophetic, powerful mind.

About the Literary Estate

Our aims are:

• To promote the writings and intellectual legacy of Arthur Owen Barfield
• To support scholarly research and studies in Barfield's ideas and works
• To improve access to the archives of Barfield papers:
• 'Owen Barfield Papers' - Bodleian Library, University of Oxford (opened 2010)
• 'Owen Barfield / GB Tennyson Letters' - Wade Center, Wheaton College, IL USA (received 2008)
• 'Owen Barfield Family Papers’ – Azusa Pacific University Library, CA USA (due to open 2012)
• 'Owen Barfield / C.S. Lewis Estate Collection' - University of North Carolina Library, USA (opened 2011).

Trustee: Owen A. Barfield, grandson (appointed 2006).

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