William Golding was an English novelist, playwright, and poet, best known for his novel Lord of the Flies, published in 1954. Born on September 19, 1911, in Cornwall, England, he studied at Oxford University, where he developed his interest in literature. Golding's writing often explores themes of human nature, civilization, and the inherent darkness within people. In addition to Lord of the Flies, Golding wrote several other notable works, including The Inheritors and Free Fall. His literary contributions earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983. Golding passed away on June 19, 1993, leaving a lasting impact on modern literature.