The Life of an Author: William Golding

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  • An Author is Born

    William Golding, the author of the well-known novel, Lord of the Flies; published in 1954, was born on September 19, 1911. He was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England.

  • A Collection of Poems

    In the year of 1934, William Golding published his first work of writing which was a collection of poems entitled, Poems. This was greatly overlooked by critics, at the time.
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    Before the Lord of the Flies: Career

    From 1935 to 1939, this later to be author tried his hand in a variety of professions. Golding worked as a producer, writer and actor for a small theater in London. In addition, not only did he work in the theater, he also started teaching English and philosophy in the Bishop Wordsworth's School in 1935.

  • Settling Down

    William Golding married Ann Brookfield in 1939. After their marriage, the couple went on to having two children, David (b. 1940) and Judith (b. 1945).
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    Fighting for His Country

    Temporarily abandoning his profession as a teacher, Golding went on to join the Royal Navy in 1940 during World War II. This experience opened Golding's eyes to the cruelty and harshness of which humans are capable of showing. Furthermore, it developed Golding's passion for sailing and the sea. When World War II ended on September 2, 1945, Golding went back to his passion of teaching and writing.

  • Publishing What Would Become His Best-Selling Novel

    On September 17, 1954, William Golding published his first novel, Lord of the Flies. Little did he know that this book would earn him a Nobel Prize and be adapted into two famous films. Years after its published date, the novel is still a favorite to many readers, adults, and kids alike.

  • Retiring From Teaching

    At 51, Golding retired from teaching at Bishop Wordsworth's School and devoted all his time to one of his biggest passions, writing.

  • First Film Adaptation of the Famous Novel

    In may of 1963, Peter Brooks made a film adaptation of the novel, Lord of the Flies. This film starred James Aubrey and Tom Gaman.

  • Praise for his Novel

    Golding won a Nobel Prize for Literature for his novel.

  • Knighted

    William Golding knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of England.

  • The Second Film Adaptation

    On March 16th of 1990, a second film adaptation of the novel was directed by Harry Hook.

  • The Death of William Golding

    Golding died of a heart attack in Perranaworthal, Cornwall,England in 1993.