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Golding was born on Septemer 19, 1911 in Saint Columb Minor, Cornhall, England.
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William received his early education at the school his father ran, Marlborough Grammar School. When William was just 12 years old, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to write a novel.
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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
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He graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in education.
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In 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II.
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In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing.
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In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies.
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In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel.
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At the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature
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In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II.
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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.
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Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. He was survived by his wife and their two children, David and Judith.
