C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published in 1950.
It was the first Narnia book to be published, introducing readers to the wardrobe portal, the land of Narnia, the Pevensie children, and the lion Aslan. The novel appeared in the United Kingdom in 1950 and quickly became Lewis’s most famous children’s book.
The publication order is not the same as the internal chronology later used in some editions. The Magician’s Nephew describes earlier events in Narnia’s history, but it was published later, in 1955. This difference explains why readers may encounter different numbering systems for the series.
The book was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, whose artwork became closely associated with the original Narnia editions. The story has also been adapted for radio, television, stage, and film. Its 1950 publication marked the beginning of a seven-book fantasy sequence that concluded with The Last Battle in 1956.