William Golding was born near Newquay in Cornwall, the second son of Alec and Mildred Golding. His father was a science master at Marlborough Grammar School and William attended the school as a pupil. He came to Brasenose in 1930 and started by reading for a science degree, but changed course after two years. He took a second class degree in English in 1934 and gained a Diploma in Education in 1937; he became a teacher. Oxford awarded him the degree of Honorary Doctor of Letters in June 1983, four months before he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
He is best known for his fiction and his most famous book is undoubtedly Lord of the Flies, published in 1954.
For more information about William Golding and his books please visit http://www.william-golding.co.uk/