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William Golding was born in Cornwall, England. His mother was a dedicated supporter of the British suffragette movement.
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He attended Brasenose College at Oxford University and studied English Literature. He spent 2 years studying science. In his third year of college he switched his college course to literature.
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William Golding published his first poem book called "Poems" because of his constant interest in poetry. It was overlooked by critics.
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After college, he worked in settlement houses and the theater for a time. He was a writer, an actor, and a producer, and a part time social worker.
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He taught English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School. At that time, he married Ann Brookfield, he had two children with her.
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He abandoned his profession and joined the Royal Navy in World War II for five years. He became Lieutenant Golding.
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After World War II, he continued teaching and writing after he returned from the Royal Navy.
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After 21 rejections, he finally published the successful, "Lord of the Flies" which was hugely inspired by his prior experience in the Navy.
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At the age of 73, William Golding was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.
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He was knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 78.
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He lived a silent life with his wife for the last few years of his life before he tragically died from a heart attack in Cornwall.