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Early Life
William was born in Saint Columbus Minor, Cornwall, England. -
William attempts his first novel.
William received his education earlier than most children at a school his father ran, Marlborough Grammar School. He then attempted to write his first novel but was unsuccessful. -
William publishes his first book.
After attending primary school William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University. His father was hoping he would become a scientist but William proceeded to pursue his dream of studying English literature. A year before graduating he published his first book of poetry titled poems but it was largely overlooked by critics. -
William becomes an English teacher.
Eventually William decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and began teaching English and philosophy Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. His experience teaching young unruly boys would soon be the inspiration for his novel "Lord of the Flies". -
William joins the Royal Navy.
He spent the next 5 and a half years on a boat, minus the 7 month stint in New York. While in the Royal Navy, Golding developed an eternal romance with sailing and the sea. In World War II he fought battleships and fended off submarines and planes. As a Lieutenant, he was even able to command a rocket launching craft. -
William begins teaching again.
After World War II ended, William went back to teaching and writing. -
William publishes his first novel.
William Golding's first and most acclaimed novel was titled "Lord of the Flies". Which told the story of a group of young boys stranded on a desert island after a plane wreck. The book was favored by many people because it showed a different side of the human race, a side everyone tries to stay away from. But in the moments of survival it's every man for himself. This novel is regarded across the world as a classic and many teachers review it with their students. A film was made of the novel. -
Williams finale.
Two decades after publishing "Lord of the Flies", Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. He was 73 years old. In 1988 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 1990 a new film version of Lord of the Flies was released which brought attention from a whole new generation of readers. During the last few years of his life William lived comfortably with his wife Ann Brookfield and continued writing. He passed away June 19th, 1993. Leaving behind a great legacy. He is inspiring.
