William Golding

The author of Lord of the Flies wrote thirteen novels that have challenged, entertained and inspired readers for more than half a century. William Golding is one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983 and the coveted Booker Prize in 1980, Golding’s novels continue to reach audiences all around the world. His first novel, Lord of the Flies , is a literary phenomenon, selling over fifty million copies. All his books explore diverse imaginative worlds, spanning across time, reality and genres. Words may, through the devotion, the skill, the passion and the luck of writers, prove to be the most powerful thing in the world. We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Professor John Carey. Carey won the James Tait Black Prize for his wonderful biography of... To celebrate the recent publication of William Golding: The Faber Letters, publishers Faber & Faber hosted an exciting event. Professor Tim Kendall, editor of the... Faber are hosting an online event celebrating publication of William Golding: The Faber Letters, the remarkable literary collaboration between the Nobel Prize winning novelist and his editor of... William Golding: The Faber Letters reveals the remarkable literary collaboration between William Golding and his editor of more than forty years, Charles Monteith. These letters tell... William Golding is born in Newquay, Cornwall, in his grandmother’s house. Together with his parents Alec and Mildred Golding and his older brother, Jose, his home is in Marlborough, Wiltshire, where his father Alec is science master at the local grammar school. Golding and his family move into 29 The Green, Marlborough, Wiltshire. It remains the home of Golding’s parents for the rest of their lives. As a child Golding is terrified by the house’s cellars and the adjacent graveyard next to the church. Alec Golding drew this picture of the house in 1945. Golding gives up studying science. He later admits the choice of science had been undertaken to please his father. He changes to English and completes the course in two years, gaining a good second-class degree in 1934. Golding’s only collection of poetry, entitled Poems, is published by Macmillan. This is his first published book. Golding takes a post teaching at Maidstone Grammar school for boys. He joins in the musical life of the school and co-produces Julius Caesar . In September Golding marries Ann Brookfield in Maidstone, Kent. Ann becomes his most important critic and supporter throughout his lifetime. Golding returns to his teaching job at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. His profession gives him an insight into the behaviour of school children. This is reflected in many of his novels. In September Golding’s debut novel, Lord of the Flies , is published by Faber and Faber. It is dedicated to his mother and father. The book receives good reviews and decent sales. Golding’s father Alec dies in December. Golding himself described this loss as ‘like the side of a cliff falling away’. He later acknowledged that he had wept more tears over Alec than over anyone else. Golding’s fourth novel, Free Fall , is published. The book is heavily influenced by his experience in World War II. It also contains a portrait of his father, including a description of his last days in hospital. The novel was first written in linear form, but Golding later re-organises it, so that the narrative moves back and forth in time. In it Golding explores the concept of individual freedom and the existence of two worlds: the material and the spiritual. Golding’s own schooldays at Marlborough Grammar School are used to illustrate this divide. Publication of The Spire , dedicated to Golding’s daughter Judy. The novel was inspired by Salisbury Cathedral, a building that fascinated Golding. Set in the fourteenth century, it describes the process whereby an individual, convinced that God has chosen him for an impossible tas