Owen Barfield (November 9, 1898 – December 14, 1997) was a British Christian philosopher, author, poet, and critic. His Saving the Appearances: A Study in Idolatry is on the 1999 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century list by Philip Zaleski. Barfield was born in London. He was educated at Highgate School and Wadham College, Oxford and in 1920 received a 1st class degree in English language and literature. After finishing his B. Litt., which became the book Poetic Diction, he worked as a solicitor. He died in Forest Row in Sussex.