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William Golding was born in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. His father was called Alex and his mother Mildred.He had an elder brother, called Joseph. At the age of seven, William started writing, though his love for books started much earlier.
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At the age of twelve, William tried to write a book. But unfortunately, this didn't work out.
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William started Brasenose College at Oxford University, studying Science, just like his father wanted him to.
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But after two years, he switched to the English Literature study, for he realised he loved books far more.
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In the Autumn of 1934, William published his first book, simply called 'Poems'.
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In this period, William had a lot of work to do. He remained being a writer, but also an actor, and a theater producer. And then, for paying his bills, he had a job as social worker.
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William graduated from Oxford with his Bachelor in English Literature and the possibility of teaching in his following career.
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In 1939, William started a new job: teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordworth’s School in Salisbury.
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William Golding married Ann Brookfield, an analytic chemist.
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During the Second World War, William joined the Royal Navy. He had to fight in the war for five years, on board of a destroyer. Although the circumstances were of course terrible, Golding developed an extraordinary romance with sailing and with the sea.
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Goldings first son David was born in September 1940.
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After the war, Golding was free to take up his old hobbies: he was able to write again and he also went back to teach.
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Golding's second and last child was born: Judith Diana.
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William published his first novel, called Lord of The Flies. In this time it was not a great success, but soon became a big bestseller.
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Soon, his following book came out. Though many readers found it difficult to understand the book, it remained William's favourite for the rest of his life/
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Because of his book, The Lord of The Flies, William was granted a membership in the Royal Society of Literature. A great honor, of course.
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The third publication became a fact. A brand new book called Pincher Martin, written by William Golding made its entrance in the wide world.
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William wrote a comedic play in '56, that he didn't publish, but that was later, in 1971, one of the novellas in 'The Scorpion God'.
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In 1959, William published his fourth novel: Free Fall
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Because Golding was now a full-time writer, he wanted more time and decided to quit teaching. So in 1962 he gave up teachership.
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Peter Brook started making a film of Goldings novel, The Lord of The Flies, in 1962. It was released in 1963.
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In December 1964, Golding published his fifth novel.
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In '65, Golding received the honorary designation Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
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Golding published a collection of essays in '66. The collection is divided into four sections: "People and Places", "Books", "Westward Look" and "Caught in a Bush".
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Goldings seventh real publication is divided into three stories, all with the same main character.
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The Scorpion God consists of three short novels.
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Darkness Visible appeared in 1979.
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In 1980, Golding started a trilogy with the first book: Rites of Passage.
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This book, A Moving Target is a collection of essays and is divided into the two sections of "Places" and "Ideas".
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A next great honor: Golding receives the Nobel Prize of literature.
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Another book appears: The Paper Men!
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This is another collection of essays, published by Golding. The third in the row.
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The second part of the Sea Trilogy appeared in 1987.
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In the summer of 1988, Golding was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace
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The final book in the trilogy, published in '89.
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In 1990 a new version of The Lord of The Flies is made by Harry Hook.
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William Golding died of an heart attack in Cornwall He was buried in the village churchyard at Bowerchalke, South Wiltshire. His wife Ann died on the 1st of January, 1995.