WILLIAM GOLDING BY JACKIE LOCKETT

William Golding was born on September 19 th, Born in Marlborough, Wiltshire. His father was a schoolmaster and his mother was a suffragette. His parents expected him to be a scientist but he revolted.

Golding had been writing stories since he was only seven years old, and even attempted to write a novel when he was 12. His favorite authors included H. G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs

Brasenose College He attended college at Marlborough grammar school and Brasenose college of Oxford.

At 22 years old, a year before getting his degree in English, Golding’s first literary work was published. It was a collection of poetry titled “Poems”. He admitted it was not his most interesting work and even considered it “an embarrassment”. “The sea is roaring in my blood, Crooning a wild tune. I can no more say 'nay' to her Than a child to the witches rune- I can no more say 'nay' to her Than the tide to the master-moon.” Excerpt of “Mazed with Breakers”

Golding graduated from Brasenose in 1935 and became a schoolmaster in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Five years later his teaching career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. He served active duty in the British Royal Navy. While at sea he spent much of his time reading books on Greek history and mythology.

William Golding married Ann Brookfield and they had two children together.

He returned to Bishop Wordsworth’s School in 1945 to continue teaching. He tried to keep his writing career alive and wrote three novels, all of which went unpublished. He was frustrated until 1954 when, after being rejected by 21 publishers, Faber & Faber accepted his book.

Originally, “Lord of the Flies” was thought of as just another adventure book by it’s critics. Eventually they recognized student’s interest in the book and began giving in scholarly reviews. He is Considered one of the late twentieth century’s most distinguished writers mainly because of this book.

After writing “Lord of the Flies”, Golding went on to write ten more novels in addition to essays, short plays, and even a travel book.

A running theme in many of his fictional novels include savagery and primitive nature in men.