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Williams Birth
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. He was raised in a 14th-century house next door to a graveyard. -
Publishes his first work
William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
Becomes a teacher
Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Teaching the boys inspired him to write his novel Lord of the Flies. -
Stops teaching
Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. Golding spent the better part of the next six years on a boat. -
He returns teaching
After World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. Golding’s participation in the war would prove to be fruitful material for his fiction. -
Published Lord of the Flies
After 21 rejections, he finally publishes his most famous novel, Lord of the Flies. The novel told the story of a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck. -
A film was made about his book and he retired
William retired from teaching. This same year Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. -
Receives Nobel Piece Prize
He was awarded the Nobel Piece Prize for Literature. Shortly after he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth ll in 1988 -
New Lord of the Flies film arrives
A new film version of the Lord of the Flies was released. It brought the book to the attention of a new generation of readers. -
Williams death
William dies of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. After his death, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.