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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. His mother, Mildred, was an active suffragette who fought for women’s right to vote. His father, Alex, worked as a schoolmaster. -
His first attempt
When William was just 12 years old, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to write a novel. A frustrated child, he found an outlet in bullying his peers. -
Moving on up
After primary school, William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University. -
Second attempt
William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
Days in the school house
Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. -
World of war
Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. -
Years on water
Golding spent the better part of the next six years on a boat, except for a seven-month stint in New York, where he assisted Lord Cherwell at the Naval Research Establishment. -
A Chance at success
After 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Money moves
In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. Two decades later, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II. -
Crowning achievement
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
1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall.