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Born and Raised
On September 19, 1911, William Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. He was raised in a house next door to a graveyard. His father was a schoolmaster and an advocate of rationalism, ideas which William completely rejected. Her mother an active suffragette who fought for women's rights. -
Frustration
At the early age of 12, he attempted, unsuccessfully to write a novel. As a frustrated kid, he bullied his peers. -
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University Studies
In 1930, Golding began attending Brasenose College at Oxford. He studied science for two years following his father's beliefs. However, on his third year he switched to English Literature. He graduated in 1935 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in education. -
First published work
In 1934, a year before graduating from university, where he studied English literature, he published his first work. This was a book of poetry entitled Poems. -
Started teaching in Salisbury
In 1935, William Golding started teaching English and Philosophy in Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. His experience teaching unruly boys inspired his novel Lord of the Flies. That same year, he married Ann Brookfield. -
First child
William and Ann had their first child called David in 1940. -
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Joined the Royal Navy
After 5 years of teaching in Salisbury, William Golding left his job to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. He spent 6 years on a boat where he developed a strong relationship with sailing and the sea. He also realized what men were capable of doing and the evil they could produce. -
Second Child
William and Ann had their second child in 1945, who they named Judith. -
Published his first novel
In 1954 Golding published his first novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Lord of the Flies
After 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most awarded novel where he explored the savage and evil side of the human being. -
Film adaptation of Lord of the Flies
A year after William retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the novel. -
Nobel Prize
At the age of 73, William Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. -
Knighted
In 1988, Golding was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. -
Death
On June 19th, 1993, he died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwell, England. After his death, his manuscript for The Double Tongue was published.