William Golding Timeline

William Golding is Born

Sep 19, 1911

William Gerald Golding was born in Cornwall, England on September 19, 1911

William Golding Begins College

Mar 30, 1930

Golding began attending Brasenose College at Oxford in 1930 and spent two years studying science, studying something that opposed his fathers viewpoints on life.

William Golding Graduates From College

Mar 30, 1935

In 1935, he graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in education, after switching his major in his third year from science to english and literacy.

William Golding begins teaching

Mar 30, 1935

In 1935, Golding began teaching English and philosophy in Salisbury at Bishop Wordsworth's School. The boys he taught here would later serve as part of the inspiration for his book Lord of the Flies.

William Golding Joins the Navy

Mar 30, 1940

In 1940, William Golding stopped teaching, so that he could join the Royal Navy during World War II.

William Golding Begins Teaching Again

Mar 30, 1945

Once World War II ended in 1945 Golding went back to teaching English and writing.

William Golding Publishes Lord of the Flies

Mar 30, 1954

In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding finally publish his novel known as the Lord of the Flies.

William Golding Retires From Teaching

Mar 30, 1962

In 1962 William Golding retired from teaching at Bishop Wordsworth's School.

Film Adaptation of Lord of the Flies Was Released

Mar 30, 1963

In 1963 a film adaptation of Golding's novel the Lord of the Flies was made by Peter Brook.

William Golding Is Awarded The Nobel Prize

Mar 30, 1983

At the age of 73, William Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1983

William Golding Is Knighted

Mar 30, 1988

In 1988, William Golding was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II.

William Golding Dies

Jun 19, 1993

On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall.