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Biography
Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916 in Llandaff, South Wales. His parents were originally from Norway. Dahl's father died when he was 4 years old. Dahl was known to be a lively and imaginative child who was full of ideas and longed for adventure. Roald Dahl attended the school Repton which was renowned for its academic superiour. After graduation Dahl's mother gave him the oppurtunity to attend Oxford or Cambridge however he was not interested and was motivated to find a job that would take far away and around to countries such as Africa and China. Roald Dahl was interested in travel and so forth he took a trip to New Foundland. Later on, Dahl worked the oil company, Shell, in Tazania, Africa. After enjoying his time in Africa, in 1939 Dahl enlisted in the RAF (Royal Air Force) and started training in Nairobi, Kenya. After completing his training he became a World War 2 fighter pilot. He was involved in a crash, in Alexandria, where he received a number of severe injuries to his spine, skull and hip. After his recovery, Dahl was then transferred to Washington D.C. where he worked as an assistant air attaché.
While in Washington he met with author C.S. Forrester, who encouraged him to start writing. He published his first short story in the Saturday Evening Post. He continued to compose short stories for magazines such as The New Yorker. He created his first childrens story, The Gremlins, in 1942, for Walt Disney. However is was not very successful, so he returned to writing stories for adults.
He married film actress Patricia Neal in 1953 and their marriage lasted three decades. They had five children, however one tragically died in 1962. He used to tell his children bedtime stories, this inspired him to start a career as a children's writer. His wife suffered from multiple brain hemorrages and Dahl supported her through her long recovery. They divorced in 1983 but he remarried Felicity Ann Crosland and they stayed together until his death.
He established himself as a children's writing after publishing his popular novel, James and the Giant Peach. Three years later, he published Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Both books were later created into popular films. Other popular books include Fantastic Fox, The Witches and Matilda.
Roald Dahl died on November 23, 1990 at age 74, after suffering an unspecified infection. In his lifetime, he wrote nineteen children's books and nine short story collections.
While in Washington he met with author C.S. Forrester, who encouraged him to start writing. He published his first short story in the Saturday Evening Post. He continued to compose short stories for magazines such as The New Yorker. He created his first childrens story, The Gremlins, in 1942, for Walt Disney. However is was not very successful, so he returned to writing stories for adults.
He married film actress Patricia Neal in 1953 and their marriage lasted three decades. They had five children, however one tragically died in 1962. He used to tell his children bedtime stories, this inspired him to start a career as a children's writer. His wife suffered from multiple brain hemorrages and Dahl supported her through her long recovery. They divorced in 1983 but he remarried Felicity Ann Crosland and they stayed together until his death.
He established himself as a children's writing after publishing his popular novel, James and the Giant Peach. Three years later, he published Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Both books were later created into popular films. Other popular books include Fantastic Fox, The Witches and Matilda.
Roald Dahl died on November 23, 1990 at age 74, after suffering an unspecified infection. In his lifetime, he wrote nineteen children's books and nine short story collections.
Bibliography
Roald Dahl n.d., Bio., accessed 26 April 2015, <http://www.biography.com/people/roald-dahl-9264648>.