The life and career of William Golding

By caseyappell

  • Born

    Born
    William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. His mother, Mildred, was a strong supporter.

  • Poems

    Poems
    William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics.

  • Teaching

    Teaching
    Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Teaching the young students is what inspired him to write Lord of the Flies.

  • Acting

    Acting
    Golding worked as a writer, actor, and producer with a small theater in an unfashionable part of London, paying his bills with a job as a social worker. He considered the theater his strongest literary influence.

  • Royal Navy

    Royal Navy
    Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. After World War II ended Golding went back to teaching.

  • back to teaching

    back to teaching
    after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing.

  • published his first novel

    published his first novel
    Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies.the story is about a group of boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck.

  • retired from teaching

    retired from teaching
    The year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel

  • Flim

    Flim
    In 1990 a new film version of the Lord of the Flies was released, bringing the book to the attention of a new generation of readers.

  • Died

    Died
    On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. Golding had 2 children. After he died his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.