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Birth Date
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. -
First Publish
a year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
Following After His Father
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. -
Joined the Royal Navy
Although passionate about teaching from day one, in 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II.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. -
"Lord of the Flies"
After 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. The novel told the gripping story of a group of adolescent boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck. -
Rewared
at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. -
Film Version
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 Date
Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. After Golding died, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.