Cecil Lewis

About the Author

Cecil Lewis was a pioneering British aviator and author whose literary career was profoundly shaped by his experiences in the First World War. Born in 1898, he joined the Royal Flying Corps at the age of sixteen, becoming one of the youngest pilots in the conflict and earning the Military Cross for his valor. After the war, Lewis channeled his aerial adventures into vivid prose, capturing the thrill and terror of early aviation. His memoir Sagittarius Rising (Penguin Classics) remains a cornerstone of war literature, offering an intimate glimpse into the cockpit and the camaraderie of the skies. Beyond writing, Lewis contributed to the BBC's founding and pursued a life of exploration, blending his passions for flight and storytelling until his death in 1997.