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William Golding was born
Born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. -
Published his first work
His father hoped he would become a scientist, but William opted to study English literature instead. William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
He started teaching English
He started teaching English and philosophy in Salisbury at Bishop Wordsworth's School -
He graduated from Oxford
He graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in education. -
Golding joined Royal Navy
Although passionate about teaching from day one Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. -
War ended
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. -
Published Lord of the Flies
After 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Retired
The year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. -
Nobel Prize
At the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature being his greatest honor. -
Knighted by Queen
Ten years later, he received the honorary designation Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and was knighted. -
Film
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. -
His Death
Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. He was survived by his wife and their two children, David and Judith. After Golding passed away, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.
