William Golding

By jontayek

  • Birth / Early Life

    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.

  • Attended Brasenose College

    William Golding went to Brasenose College at Oxford in 1930. He studied science which was against his father's beliefs. He then switched to the literature program.

  • Started Teaching in Salisbury

    William Golding started teaching English and Philosphy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. He was very passionate about his job.

  • Joined the Navy

    After five years of teaching, Golding joined the Royal Navy to fight in World War II. He spent six years fighting in this war and figured out one of his callings. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant in those years.

  • Started Teaching Again

    After Golding bravely served throughout World War II, he went back to his profession of teaching. He finally went back to his other calling.

  • "Lord of the Flies" got Published

    After 21 rejections, Golding got his first and most criticallly acclaimed book, "Lord of the Flies" published. His book was full of symbolism and still is taught in classrooms around the world today

  • "Lord of the Flies" Film Movie Released

    The first film adaptation of Golding's book, "Lord of the Flies" is made by film producer, Peter Brook. This happened a year after Golding had retired from teaching.

  • Won a Noble Peace Prize

    In 1983, at the age of 73, Golding won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. This showed just how influential his novel was.

  • Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

    In the summer of 1988, William Golding was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He was the age of 78 when this happened.

  • "Lord of he Flies" Revamped Movie Released

    Lord of the Flies was released theatrically on March 16, 1990, in the United States by Columbia Pictures. Upon release, the film made $4.4 million in 888 theaters.

  • Death

    Golding died June 19, 1993 after an apparent heart attack.