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Early Life
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. -
Education
William received early education at a school his father ran, Marlborough Grammar School. He found that bullying his peers was enjoyable and even said "I enjoyed hurting people." William went on to attend College at Oxford University. In 1934, he published his first book. -
Teaching
In 1935, William decided to follow his father's footsteps and taught English and Philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. -
Royal Navy
In 1940, William abandoned his profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War 2. -
End of WWII
In 1945, William went back to teaching and writing. -
Lord of the Flies
In 1954, after 21 rejections, William published his first and acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
End to teaching
In 1963, William retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film of his novel. -
Achievement
In 1988, William was knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth II. -
Later in life
William spent the last few years of his life with his wife. The couple had been married since 1939 and had 2 children. -
Death and Legacy
On June 19, 1993, William died of a heart attack. After his death, his completed manuscript for "The Double Tongue" was published.