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Birth
Golding is born in Cornwall, England (biography.com). -
Primary School
For his primary education, Golding attends Marlborough Grammar School, which is run by his father (biography.com. -
First Book
At age 12, Golding attempts and fails to write a book. He vents by bullying his peers, which leads to inspiration for his future works (biography.com) -
College
Golding attends Brasenose College at Oxford University, studying English literature (biography.com). -
Poems
Golding publishes his first work, a book of poetry aptly named Poems. It receives little attention from critics (biography.com). -
Teacher
Golding becomes an English and philosophy teacher at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. He was passionate about the job, and Golding's experiences with the children influenced his future work, Lord of the Flies (biography.com). -
Navy
Golding temporarily leaves his teaching position to join the British Royal Navy in World War Two. He developed a love for the sea and water. Also, exposure to the evils of mankind further influenced Golding to write Lord of the Flies (biography.com). -
Lord of the Flies
Golding's first published novel, Lord of the Flies, explores human nature and the power of order (cliffsnotes.com). It quickly gains attention and becomes a classic (biography.com). -
The Inheritors
Golding publishes his second book, The Inheritors. It concerns the extinction of Neanderthals at the hands of Homo sapiens; while it does not receive Lord of the Flies' fame, The Inheritors is Golding's personal favorite (cliffsnotes.com). -
Royal Society of Literature
After the success of Lord of the Flies, Golding is inducted into the Royal Society of Literature. Following this, he continues to write novels and essays (cliffsnotes.com). -
Sea Trilogy
The Sea Trilogy novels are some of Golding's last and most ambitious. Detailing a man's trip to Australia, they won Golding a British award, the Booker Prize (cliffsnotes.com). -
Nobel Prize
Golding won the Nobel Prize for Literature for Lord of the Flies as well as his other works. This was his greatest achievement as a writer. -
Death
Golding passes away in Cornwall, the county of his birth (cliffsnotes.com).
