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William Golding is born
William Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. His mother Mildred fought for women's right to vote and his father Alex was a schoolmaster. -
First Failed Attempt
At age 12 William attempted to write a novel and he failed, making him a little bit upset. This first failed attempt led Golding to bully his peers. -
Oxford University
Golding attended Brasenose College at Oxford University where he studied Science for the first 2 years because his father wanted him rto become a scientist. After two years he began studying English Literature and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. -
Book of Poetry
In 1934 a year before graduating William published a book of poetry. This book of poetry was named "Poems" which was greatly overlooked by critics. -
Teaching
In 1935 a year after Golding graduated he began teaching. Just like his father, Golding taught English and Philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. -
Wife and Children
In 1939, Golding married Ann Brookfield and would later have 2 children David and Judith. -
Royal Navy
In 1940, Golding joined the Royal Navy and fought in World War II. In the navy he fought battleships at the sinking of Bismark and fended off submarines and planes. -
Lord of the Flies
After 21 rejections, William finally published his first book. His first and most acclaimed novel Lord of the Flies was published in 1954. -
Nobel Prize
Two decades later Golding receives the Nobel Prize for Literature at the age of 73. -
Knighted
In 1988 William was knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth II. -
Death
On June 19, 1993 William Golding passed away. Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal Cornwall at the age of 82
