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Roald Dahl is born on September 13th in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales. -
Dahl attends Llandaff Cathedral School and later, St. Peter's Boarding School in Weston-super-Mare. -
Dahl attends Repton School in Derbyshire, where he encounters the harsh discipline of the school system. -
Dahl serves as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He becomes a flying ace but suffers severe injuries in a plane crash in Libya.
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Dahl publishes his first short story, "Shot Down Over Libya" in The Saturday Evening Post. -
Dahl's first children's book, "The Gremlins", is published. It tells the story of mischievous creatures who sabotage aircraft. -
Dahl marries American actress Patricia Neal. -
Dahl's first collection of short stories for adults, "Someone Like You", is published. -
"James and the Giant Peach", Dahl's first full-length children's book, is published. It becomes a beloved classic. -
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is published, introducing readers to the eccentric Willy Wonka and his magical chocolate factory. -
Dahl's daughter, Olivia, dies of measles encephalitis, inspiring his advocacy for vaccination and leading to the creation of the Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity. -
"Fantastic Mr. Fox", a story about a clever fox outsmarting three farmers, is published. -
Dahl continues to write successful children's books, including "The Twits" (1980), "The BFG" (1982), and "Matilda" (1988)
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Dahl and Patricia Neal divorce. -
Dahl marries Felicity "Liccy" Crosland.
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"The Vicar of Nibbleswicke", Dahl's last book published during his lifetime, is released. -
Roald Dahl passes away on November 23rd in Oxford, England, at the age of 74