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Birth
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Newquay, United Kingdom. -
Early Education
William Golding received his early education at his father's school, Marlborough Grammar School. Golding attempted to write a novel at 12, but unfortunately, it was not a success. -
First Literature Piece Published
In 1934, William Golding published his first piece of literature, which was a collection of poems simply titled Poems. However, critics largely overlooked the collection. -
English Teacher and Philosopher
While his father had high hopes for William to become a scientist, he began to study English literature at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury instead, and soon became a teacher. This teaching experience served as inspiration for Lord of the Flies later on in his career. -
Marriage
Golding married Ann Brookfield on September 30th, 1939. They had two children, Judith and David. -
Royal Navy
After pressing pause on teaching, Golding joined the Royal Navy to participate in World War II. He spent the next 5 years of his life serving his nation and traveling on a boat and developed a lifelong romance with sailing and the sea. After this, he went back to teaching. -
Lord of the Flies is Published
Golding's critically acclaimed classic, Lord of the Flies, was published on September 17, 1954. -
Booker Prize
In 1980, Golding was awarded the Booker Prize for the first novel in the 'To the Ends of the Earth' series, 'Rites of Passage.' -
Nobel Prize
William Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature at the age of 73, soon after the publishing of Lord of the Flies. -
Death
William Golding died on June 19, 1993. He perished in the Tullimaar House, a mansion east of Perranarworthal, in west Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.