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William Golding was born
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. He was raised in a 14th-century house next door to a graveyard. -
1921-30 Golding went to Marlborough Grammar School.
1921-30 1921-30 Golding went to Marlborough Grammar School, where his father Alec was science master. HIs father was a tremendous influence. -
1930 Golding went to Brasenose College, Oxford.
1930 Golding went to Brasenose College, Oxford, to read Natural Sciences.1932 He changed to English Literature.
1934 Golding gained a second-class degree in June of this year. In the autumn, Macmillan published his Poems. -
Golding publishes his first work.
His father hoped he would become a scientist, but William opted to study English literature instead. In 1934, a year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics. -
Golding takes a teaching position.
In 1935 Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. Golding’s experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel Lord of the Flies. -
Golding joins the royal navy
Although passionate about teaching from day one, in 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II. -
Golding went back to teaching and writing.
In 1945, after World War II had ended, Golding went back to teaching and writing.In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. -
1962 golding retires
In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. -
golding gets awarded the noble prize for literature
Two decades later, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1988 he was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth II. -
golding dies
On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. Ann Golding died on New Year's Day, eighteen months after her husband, and was buried beside him in the graveyard at Bowerchalke.
