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William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. -
When William was just 12 years old, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to write a novel. A frustrated child, he found an outlet in bullying his peers. -
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. -
In 1935 Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. -
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. -
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. -
In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II. -
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. -
On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall.