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Birth
William Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor Cornwall, England to Alex and Mildred Golding. -
College
Golding began attending Brasenose College at Oxford and spent his first 2 years studying science. However, in his third year, he switched to literature, realizing what he really enjoyed doing. -
Graduation
Golding graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor Degree of Arts in English and a diploma in education. -
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Careers
Golding worked at a small theater in the poorer part of London as a writer, actor, and producer. He considered his workplace his strongest influence in literature, involving Shakespeare and Greek storytellers, instead of other authors. -
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Later Years
In 1939, Golding began teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. That same year, he also married Ann Brookfield and had two children with her. He spent 5 years of his teaching career in the Royal Navy during World War ll. Then, in 1954, after multiple rejections, his first novel Lord of the Flies was published. He finally retired from teaching in 1962 to write full time. -
Nobel Prize Winner
When he was 73, Golding accepted the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. -
Knighthood
William Golding was knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth ll, becoming Sir William Golding. -
Death
Golding died of a heart attack at the age of 82 in Perranarworthal, Cornwall.