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Birth
William Golding was born in Cornwall, England. His mother was an avid supporter of the British suffragette movement, and his father was a school teacher. -
Education
Golding attended Brasenose College at Oxford (1930). He initially started studying science (for two years), but he changed to literature, his true interest. He graduated college during the year 1935. -
Service in the Royal Navy
William Golding joined the Royal Navy during world war two, and spend six years afloat. During his time, he became Lieutenant in command of a rocket ship, and he participated during the D-Day invasion. His experiences in the royal navy greatly influenced the writing of the novel, Lord of the Flies. -
Lord of the Flies
The novel, Lord of the Flies, was the first novel to be published by William Golding. It was also the novel he was most well known for. The novel included Golding's perception on humanity. -
Pincher Martin
This novel showed how Golding's war experiences had a huge impact on his life. It is about a navy Lieutenant, just like William Golding, trying to survive after being thrown off a ship during combat. -
Rite of Passage and Booker Prize
One of Golding's most ambitious works, Rite of Passage, led to him being awarded the Booker prize. It is part of the Sea Trilogy series that represents the development of Golding's character throughout his life -
Nobel Prize for Literature
Through his many works of literature, William Golding achieved a very prestigious prize. In 1983, Golding was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. -
Death
At the age of 81, William Golding died of congestive heart failure. William Golding did what he loved most and was recognized for it. He was buried at Cornwall, England