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William Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England on September 19, 1911. His parents were Mildred and Alex Golding. His mother was a women's rights activist and his father a teacher.
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Golding's first book, Poems, was published is 1934. This was while he was in his final year at Oxford University. This book was largely overlooked, both by consumers and critics.
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William Golding started teaching at Bishop Wordworth's School in Salisbury. He taught English and philosophy there. The boys at this school gave him inspiration for The Lord of The Flies.
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Although passionate about teaching, Golding left the profession and joined the British Royal Navy. Golding spent most of his life on a boat after this, and was even in some important naval battles in World War Two. After the war ended in 1945, he went back to teaching.
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In 1954, William Golding published the novel Lord of the Flies. After 21 rejections, the modern classic was published. This novel set the mood for the rest of his career, concerning the internal fight of good against evil,
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In 1963, The Lord of the Flies was adapted into a film by director Peter Brook. In 1990, a remake of the movie was released.
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In 1983, William Golding won a Nobel Prize for Literature. He was 73 years old.
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William Golding was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. He was 78 years old.
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In 1993, William Golding died in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England of a heart attack. He is thought of as one of the greatest novelists in history.