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The birth of Roald Dahl
On the 13th of September, 1916 Roald Dahl was born. He was born in Llandaff, Wales to Harald and Sofie Dahl. His parents named him after Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian polar explorer. He was the 3rd child in the family, with four sisters: Astri and Alfhild, as well as Else and Asta who were born later on. Roald also had two half-siblings from his father's prior marriage; Louis and Ellen. -
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Roald Dahl's Life
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The death of Astri
During February 1920, Roald's sister Astri died from an infection that led to a burst appendix. -
Death of Roald Dahl's father
Shortly after the death of Astri, Roald's father Harald died from pneumonia at the age of 57. Sadly, he was so overwhelmed with grief that he didn't care whether he was to live or die. His death left Roald's mother, Sofie, with five children to look after; Roald's two sisters Alfhid and Else as well as Asta who was born soon after and Ellen and Louis, the children from Harald's first marriage. -
Boarding School
Roald Dhal is sent to a boarding school named St Peter’s School in Weston. -
Boarding school and chocolate testing
Roald Dahl went to another boarding school named Repton. He helped test new chocolate bars for Cadbury’s, his favourites including Aero, Kitkat, Mars, crunchie and smarties. -
Shell
Roald Dahl began working at a large oil company named Shell due to his desire to travel to exotic places such as China and Africa. -
RAF
At 23 years old, Roald Dahl left his job at Shell to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. -
Plane crash
After being sent to Libya, Roald Dahl's plane (a Gloster Gladiator) crashed in the Western Desert resulting in severe injuries to Roald’s nose, head and back. He spent the next six months recovering in the Anglo-Swiss hospital in Alexandria. -
Published novels
Roald's first adult’s novel was published during this year as well as his first children’s novel, The Gremlins. -
Roald's first marriage
On the 2nd of July 1953, Roald Dahl married 27 year old American actress Patricia Neal. -
Roald and Pat's first child
Roald Dahl and his wife Patricia had their first daughter, Olivia, during 1955 whilst in New York. -
Roald and Pat's second child
Back in Oxford, England, Roald and Pat had another daughter whom they named Chantal although later became known as Tessa. -
Theo is born
Roald and Pat's first and only son Theo was born during July 1960. Just four months later, Theo's pram got hit by a taxi in New York resulting in severe injuries. He unfortunately suffered from a condition named hydrocephalus, also known as 'water on the brain.' Thankfully, he recovered. -
James and the Giant Peach
One of Roald's most famous books, James and the Giant Peach was first published during November 1961. Soon after its publication, Roald began working on the book now known as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. -
Olivia's death
The tragic death of Roald and Pat's eldest, Olivia occurred during November of 1962. She died from measles encephalitis at just seven years old, the same age as Roald's own sister died. -
Birth of Lucy
Following Pat's release from the hospital after suffering from a series of strokes, her and Roald's fifth child is born, named Lucy. -
'You Only Live Twice' and the death of Roald's mother
Roald wrote the screenplay for the James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice' which was then released during 1967. November saw the death of Roald's mother, Sofie Magdalene. -
The 1970's/Book Publications
During the 1970s, many of Roald's books were published; these included 'Fantastic Mr Fox', Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator', Danny, the Champion of the World' and the Enormous Crocodile as well as others. Also during the 70's, Roald's first granddaughter is born; Sophie. He later named the protaganist in 'The BFG' after her. -
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was made. -
Quentin Blake
During 1978, Roald met illustrator Quentin Blake. The two then collaborated to write and illustrate the rest of Roald's novels. -
The 1980's
During the 1980's, even more of Roald's literature was published including books such as 'The Twits', 'George's Marvellous Medicine', 'The BFG', 'The Witches', 'Matilda', as well as 'Boy'. This decade also brought another three grandchildren. -
Divorce and Remarriage
After a 30 year marriage, Roald and Pat decided to divorce. Later that year, Roald married a woman named Felicity Crosland. -
The death of Roald Dahl
At the age of 74, Roald passed away from bone marrow cancer. -
Post-Death
Even after the death of Roald Dahl, his stories and memories are shared globally to this day. September 13th has since become an annual Roald Dahl day; next year in 2016 will bring the celebration of Roald's centenary.