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1954 BCE
Lord of the Flies
After 21 rejectons, Golding published, "Lord of the Flies" , which told the story of young boys stranded on an island after a plane crash. The novel explored the savage nature of humans. Since the novel's publication, it has been widely regarded as a classic.(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
1935 BCE
Teaching
Golding decided to follow his father's footsteps and take a teaching position at Bishop Wordworth's School in Salisbury. There he taught philosophy and English and his experience teaching unruly boys helped the inspiration for, "Lord of the Flies".(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
Period: to 1934 BCE
Early Life
His mother was an active suffragette who fought for women's rights and his father was a schoolmaster. He unsuccessfully attempted his first novel at age twelve and he found an outlet in bullying his peers. After primary school, he attended Oxford opting out of science, which his father wanted, and went into literature. Before graduating, he published his first work, a book of poems entitled, "Poems".(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
Birth
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911 in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England and he was raised in a 14th century house next to a graveyard.(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
Period: to
Royal Navy
In 1940, during World War II, Golding joined the Royal Navy. He spent the better part of the next 6 years on a boat except for a six month stint in New York where he asssisted Lord Cherwell at the Naval Researh Establishment. While in the navy, he fell in love with sailing and the sea.(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
The Movie
In 1963, the year after Golding retired frok teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaption of the novel.(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching) -
Death and Legacy
On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. He spent the last few years of his life quietly living with his wife Ann Brookfield, where he continued to tool at his writing. Among his most successful writing were, "Rites of Passage", "Pincher Martin", and "Free Fall and The Pyramid".(http://www.biography.com/people/william-golding-9314523#teaching)