William Golding
- Born:
- September 19, 1911, St. Columb Minor, Cornwall, England
- Died:
- June 19, 1993, Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Marlborough Grammar School, where his father was a science master.
- Began writing at a young age, initially attempting a novel at age 12.
- Studied natural sciences and English at Brasenose College, Oxford, eventually focusing on English literature.
- Worked in settlement houses and the theatre before becoming a schoolteacher.
Career and Major Achievements
- Taught English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury for many years.
- Served in the Royal Navy during World War II, participating in the D-Day landings.
- Published his first novel, Lord of the Flies, in 1954.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983.
- Knighted in 1988.
Notable Works
- Lord of the Flies (1954)
- The Inheritors (1955)
- Pincher Martin (1956)
- Free Fall (1959)
- The Spire (1964)
- Rites of Passage (1980) - Booker Prize winner
Legacy and Impact
William Golding's novels explore themes of human nature, morality, and the conflict between civilization and savagery. His work, particularly Lord of the Flies, has had a profound and lasting impact on literature and popular culture, establishing him as one of the most significant novelists of the 20th century. This william golding short biography highlights his key contributions to literature.