-
Date of Birth
Born September 19, 1911 in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. (Biography.com) -
Period: to
Bully
Frustrated at life, William Golding bullied peers. Later in life, "William would describe his childhood self as a brat, even going so far as to say, 'I enjoyed hurting people.'" (biography.com) -
Unsuccessful Novel
When he was 12 years old, Golding unsuccessfully tried to write a novel. (Biography.com) -
First published book
In 1934, William published a book of poetry funnily enough called Poems. While the book didn't gain noteriety, it was valuable in that it illustrate his increasing distrust of the rationalism he had been reared on, mocking well-known rationalists and their ideas. Biography.com cliffnotes.com -
Graduation
Graduated from the Brasenose College at Oxford University and studied English literature. (biography.com) -
Teacher
After working at settlement houses and theaters, Golding settled down as a teacher teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. This became his inspiration for the children in The lord of the Flies. (biography.com) -
Marriage
At the dawn of World War Two, Ann Brookfield and William Golding were married, later having two children named David and Judith. (biography.com) -
Period: to
World War 2
When World War Two broke out, Golding enlisted in the British Royal Navy. At the sea he discovered his love for the sea and sailing. Later on Golding recounts, "I began to see what people were capable of doing. Anyone who moved through those years without understanding that man produces evil as a bee produces honey, must have been blind or wrong in the head.” This proved to influence his later novels including Lord of the Flies. (biography.com) -
Lord of the Flies
After 21 redrafts and rejections, Golding published Lord of the Flies. It became one of his most acclaimed novels and is widely regarded as a classic. (biography.com) -
Full-time Writer
In 1961, he left Bishop Wordsworth's School to write full time. cliffnotes.com -
Nobel Peace Prize
After twenty years and many more successful books Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. (biography.com) -
Knighting
In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II.(biography.com) -
Death
At the age of 82, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. (biography.com)
