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Birth of William Golding
Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. His mother was an active women suffragist while his father was a schoolmaster. -
Early Education
Golding received his childhood education at a primary school called Marlborough Grammar School at which his father was a teacher. Later, he perceived his childhood self as bratty and violent. -
College Education
Golding attended Brasenose College at Oxyford University, where he opted to study English literature over his father's preference of becoming a scientist. He graduated from Oxyford in 1935. -
Publication of Poems
Golding published his first work, a book of poetry he titled Poems. His work was largely ignored by critics. -
Teaching Career
Golding began teaching English an philosophy to young students at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. Note: The website is refusing to upload a picture to this event. -
Marriage
Golding married Ann Brookerfield and settled in a house in Falmouth, Cornwall. They had two children together; the first being born in 1940 and the second in 1945. -
Service in Royal Navy
Golding joined the Royal Navy during World War II, temporarily abandoning his teaching career. In the War, He was positioned as Lieutenant and was given leadership of a rocket-launching craft. His experiences in war and the barbaric actions he saw taken against people are said to have been extremely influential upon the writing of the Lord of the Flies. -
Publication of Lord of the Flies
Golding finally published what came to be his most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. The novel was rejected 21 times before finally being given the allowance for publication. -
The Inheritors
Golding succeeded in publishing his novel, The Inheritors. This novel delved into the life of the first humans. -
Pincher Martin
Golding succeeded in publishing his novel, Pincher Martin. This novel was similar to the Lord of the Flies as told the story of a Navy lieutenant's survival after a devastating shipwreck. -
Free Fall
Golding succeeded in publishing his novel, Free Fall. He used the main character of this novel to comment on the conflicts between rationalism and faith. -
Lord of the Flies Movie Production
Peter Brook directed the film adaption following the story line of Lord of the Flies. This was about a year after Golding's retirement from teaching. -
The Spire
Golding succeeded in publishing his novel, The Spire. This novel addressed the issues of faith at this time and and the human costs of the founding of a cathedral. -
The Pyramid
Golding succeeded in publishing his novel, The Pyramid. This novel scrutinizes the English social class. -
The Scorpion God: Three Short Novels
Golding succeeded in publishing the novel, The Scorpion God: Three Short Novels. This trilogy described the progressing technology of his time. -
Darkness Visible
Golding succeeded in publishing the novel, Darkness Visible. This novel explored the many aspects of good and evil. -
Booker McConnell Prize
Golding's book, the Rites of Passage, was awarded the 1980 Booker McConnell Prize. -
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The Sea Trilogy
Golding succeeded in publishing a series of three books called The Sea Trilogy. This trilogy tell the story of a young man's emotional and moral growth during an ocean voyage. The Rites of Passage was published in 1980, Close Quarters in 1987, and Fire Down Below in 1989. -
Nobel Peace Prize
At 73 years of age, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. -
The Paper Men
Golding succeeded in publishing the novel, The Paper Men. According to reviewers or this work, the novel seems to condemn literary critics. -
Knighthood
Golding was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. This further acknowledged him as a writer worthy learning about for generations to come. -
The Sea Trilogy
Golding succeeded in publishing a series of three books called the Sea Trilogy. This trilogy tells the story of a young man's emotional and moral growth during an ocean voyage. The first of the series, Rites of Passage, was published in 1980, Close Quarters in 1987, and Fire Down Below in 1989. -
Death of William Golding
Golding passed away in Perranarworthal, Cornwall after suffering from a heart attack. His completed manuscript of The Double Tongue was published soon after his death.
