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William Golding was born on September 19, 1911 in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. He was raised by a mother who was an activist for women's rights and a father who was a schoolmaster. He went to his father's schools for several years.
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His father wanted William to become a scientist, but William decided to study English literature. He wrote his first book, Poems, in 1934 before he graduated. It was majorly overlooked.
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William began teaching at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Golding taught many disruptive and unruly boys, which would serve as inspiration for Lord of the Flies.
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They married in 1939 and had two kids: David (born 1940) and Judith (born 1945).
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He spent 6 years working for the Royal Navy except for 7 months in New York. He worked until 1945. This would again serve as valuable experience for his novel.
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After 21 failed attempts, he finally publishes the novel. It receive many praises and is considered one of the greatest works of all time.
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This was made the year after Golding retired from teaching. Peter Brook made the movie.
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He received it in 1983. He was 73 years old at the time.
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William Golding was officially knighted in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II
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A new movie was made on The Lord of the Flies.
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Golding died of a heart attack in Parranarworthal, Cornwall. Posthumously, his book The Double Tongue was published.