William Golding

  • Birth

    He was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England.
  • Early Life

    He was raised in a 14th-century house next door to a graveyard. His mother, Mildred, was an active suffragette who fought for women’s right to vote. His father, Alex, worked as a schoolmaster.
  • Early LIfe

    At the age of twelve he tried writing his first novel.
  • Early Life

    A year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics.
  • Teaching

    He started teaching English and philosophy in Salisbury. He temporarily left teaching in 1940 to join the Royal Navy.
  • Teaching

    Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II.
  • Royal Navy

    After World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing.
  • First Novel

    He published his first novel, Lord of the Flies.
  • Lord of the flies

    He retired from teaching
  • Death

    Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall.