The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group that met in the 1930s and 40s in an Oxford pub called The Eagle and Child. Its members included several noted authors, most famously C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Poet Hugo Dyson, author Charles Williams, philosopher Owen Barfield, and historian Warren Lewis (the other Lewis's brother) were also members. Dorothy L. Sayers is sometimes referred to as a member, but, while she was friends with Lewis and Tolkien, university literary groups in that era were male-only.
Readings and discussions of members' works in progress was the primary purpose of the group. As a result, many works, including The Lord of the Rings, were first shared within this group of friends. Because of this close association between the authors and their familiarity with each other's work, influences can be seen between them and even shoutouts to (at the time) unpublished works.
Despite the Oxford university locale, and despite the distinguished names associated with the group, it was not at all a serious club whatsoever. They would meet in pubs and were known to play games between them, such as who could read Amanda McKittrick Ros' work the longest without bursting into laughter.
Because of the involvement of Lewis, Williams, and Tolkien, the Inklings are considered to have a significant influence on the genres of Fantasy and Mythopoeia.
Not to be confused with that race of humanoid squid who spray multicolored ink everywhere.
