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Birth
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. -
First Novel
William received his early education at the school his father ran, Marlborough Grammar School. When William was just 12 years old, he attempted to write a novel. -
First Official Book
After primary school, William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University. His father hoped he would become a scientist, but William opted to study English literature instead. 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. -
Teaching Experience & Inspiration
After college, Golding worked in settlement houses and the theater for a time. Eventually, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. 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. -
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Life at Sea
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. While in the Royal Navy, Golding developed a lifelong romance with sailing and the sea. -
Off to War
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. -
Back to School
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. -
Lord of the Flies
In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Book to Movie
In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. -
Nobel Prize
Two decades later, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. -
An Honor
In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II. -
A New Generation
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. -
Death
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.