Important Dates in William Golding's Life

  • William Golding's birth

    Golding was born September 19, 1911 in Cornwall, England.
  • Golding's first book was published

    The book titled 'Poems' was published when Golding was only twenty-three.
  • Golding graduates

    Golding graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
  • Golding marries Ann Brookfield

    Golding has two children with Ann. He begins working at Bishop Woodworth's School teaching English and Philosophy.
  • Golding joins the Royal Navy

    Soon after World War II broke out Golding joined the Royal Navy, serving until the close of the war. He was involved in the sinking of the Bismark, and the invasion of Normandy on D-Day.
  • Golding's first major novel is published

    Golding's first major novel titled 'Lord of The Flies' was rejected by twenty-one publishers, but eventually became a best seller eight years after the original publication date.
  • Golding's 'The Inheritors' is published

  • Golding's 'Pincher Martin' is published

  • Golding's 'Free Fall' is published

  • 'Lord of The Flies' is made into a motion picture

  • Golding's 'The Spire' is published

  • Golding's 'The Pyramid' is published

  • Golding's 'Darkness Visable' is published

  • Golding's 'Rites of Passage' is published

    Golding wins a "Booker Prize" for this novel.
  • Golding wins a Nobel Prize for Literature

  • Golding's 'The Paper Men' is published

  • Golding's 'An Egyptian Journal' is published

  • Golding's 'Close Quarters' is published

  • Golding is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

  • Golding's 'Fire Down Below' is published

  • 'Lord of The Flies' is made into a flim once again

  • William Golding's death

    Golding died June 19, 1993 in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England.
  • 'The Double Tongue' published post-humously

    Golding was working on 'The Double Tongue' at the time of his death.