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William's first published book
In 1934, a year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
William starts teaching English and Philosophy
In 1935 Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Golding’s experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel Lord of the Flies. -
Golding joins the Royal Navy to fight in WW2
In, 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. -
Golding started teaching and writing again
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. -
Golding publishes "Lord of the Flies"
In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Goldings novel is turned into a film
In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. -
Goldings past accomplisment
Among the most successful novels of Golding’s writing career were Rites of Passage (winner of the 1980 Booker McConnell Prize), Pincher Martin, Free Fall and The Pyramid. While Golding was mainly a novelist, his body of work also includes poetry, plays, essays and short stories. -
Golding is awarded Nobel Prize
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. -
A new film version of the Lord of the Flies is released
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. -
Golding dies of a heart attack
On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. After Golding died, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.