William Golding was born in Newquay, Cornwall, on September 19, 1911. His father, Alec Golding, was a schoolmaster and his mother, Mildred (née Perkins), was a music teacher. He had two younger brothers, Graham and John. Golding was educated at Marlborough Grammar School and Brasenose College, Oxford. He excelled at sports, particularly boxing, and was a member of the college Boat Club. He left Oxford without a degree in 1934 and worked as a teacher in Salisbury, Wiltshire. In 1935, he married Ann Brookfield, with whom he had two children, David and Judith.
Golding’s first novel, Lord of the Flies, was published in 1954. It was an instant success and has since become a classic of twentieth-century literature. His other novels include Pincher Martin (1956), Free Fall (1959), The Spire (1964), and Rites of Passage (1980), which won the Booker Prize. Golding was knighted in 1988 and died in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, on June 19, 1993.
Golding’s novels are largely concerned with the conflict between the civilized and the savage aspects of human nature. They often explore the themes of good and evil, morality, religion, and man’s place in the universe. Golding once said that he wanted to “explore the darkness of man’s heart.” His work is characterized by its pessimistic view of human nature and its use of allegory and symbolism.
Golding’s novels have been widely translated and have sold millions of copies worldwide. They have been adapted for stage, screen, and television. His work has been praised by such writers as Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and Cormac McCarthy.
General Info
Full Name
William Golding
Died
June 19, 1993, Perranarworthal, United Kingdom
Profession
Teacher, Author, Poet, Novelist, Playwright
Education
St John's Marlborough, Brasenose College, Oxford, University of Oxford
Won the 1980 Booker Prize for his novel "Rites of Passage".
2
A former English teacher at Bishop Wordsworth school in Salisbury, UK, Golding's first novel, "Lord of the Flies," was published by Faber in 1954 after being rejected by more than ten publishing houses. Quit his teaching job in 1962 in order to write full-time.
3
For 40 years, Golding refused permission for a theatrical production of "Lord of the Flies" until he saw playwright Nigel Williams's adaptation in a school play.
4
Two children: David and Judy.
5
Educated at Marlbrough Grammar Scool (1921-1930) and Brasenose College, Oxford (1930-1934).
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Received a knighthood in 1988.
7
Was the 1983 Nobel laureate in literature. Each of his eleven novels explored human nature's darker side.
Movies
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Island
2013/I
based on the novel "Lord of the Flies" by
To the Ends of the Earth
2005
TV Mini-Series adapted from the trilogy by - 3 episodes
Lord of the Flies
1990
novel - as Sir William Golding
Alkitrang dugo
1975
inspired by - novel "Lord of the Flies"
Rézpillangó
1971
TV Movie as W. Golding
Lord of the Flies
1963
novel
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Monitor
1959
TV Series documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Arena
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
Awards
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1983
Nobel Prize in Literature
Nobel Prize
"for his novels which, with the perspicuity of realistic narrative art and the diversity and ... More