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The Birth of Golding
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First Try
When William was just 12 years old, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to write a novel. -
First Book
In 1934, a year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems -
College
He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1935 Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Golding’s experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel Lord of the Flies. -
The War
In 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. -
5 Years Later
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing -
Lord of the Flies
In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
The Movie
In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel -
Award
At the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature -
New Movie
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. -
Death and a last manuscript
On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. After Golding passed away, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously