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Birth
Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor in Cornwall, England, on September 19, 1911. His father, Alex, was a schoolmaster, while his mother, Mildred, was active in the Women's Suffrage Movement (the movement for women's right to vote). -
Writing Stories at a Early Life
Since the age of seven, Golding had been writing stories. At the age of twelve he attempted to write a novel, but failed. -
After Primary School
After primary school, William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University. His father hoped he would become a scientist, but instead he went to study English literature instead. In 1934, a year before he graduated, William published his first book of poetry. The book was overlooked by many critics. -
Teaching in Salisbury
After college, Golding worked in settlement houses and the theater for a short amount of time. When he was done with theater he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a teacher. In 1935, he taught English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. -
World War ll
In 1940 Golding quit being a teacher for a little while to join the Navy and fight in World War II. He spent 7 years on a boat and except for a seven-month stint in New York. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant in those years. -
After the War
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing. -
Lord of the Flies
William Golding published his first novel, Lord of the Flies. A classic, it is about a bunch of schoolboys crashing on an island during World War 2. As they turn on each other, readers see the savage side of humans. -
The Inheritors
His second novel, The Inheritors is about a group of Neanderthals who discover a group of homo sapiens. -
Pincher Martin
Pincher Martin is the only survivor of a torpedoed destroyer who ends up on a huge rock in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. -
Free Fall
A well-known painter reviews his life and wonders when he became guilty and why. -
The Spire
The dean of a large cathedral wants to build a 400-foot spire. -
The Pyramid
An 18-year-old wants to enjoy life before going to a university. -
The Scorpion God
The Scorpion God is made up of 3 novels. These novels take place in Egypt, Africa, and Rome. -
Darkness Visible
A child miraculously survives the holocaust of the Nazi firebombings. -
Rites of Passage
Inside a warship, a young man writes to his godfather in a journal. -
The Paper Men
An English novelist faces a drinking problem. -
Close Quarters
This book comes after Rites of Passage. -
Fire Down Below
This is the last book of Golding's Sea Trilogy. -
Death
William Golding died at the age of 81. He died in Perranarworthal, United Kingdom. -
The Double Tongue
The Double Tongue is the last novel Golding wrote. However, it was found in draft form, as he did not finish writing it before he died. A fictional memoir, it is about an old woman at Delphi.
