Roald Dahl
Life of an Author By: Steven Monolakis
Early Life
Roald Dahl was born into a Norwegian family in Landiff, Wales on September 13th, 1916. He had 2 older sisters and a older step-sister and brother. Two years later, his younger sister was born near the end of WW1. However, in 1920, his older sister Astri died from a burst appendix and his father died from pneumonia. His mother, being pregnent whith baby Asta, was left to care for 6 children on her own. Roald began school and eventually graduates High school in 1934 at age 18.
In the RAF
After graduating, Roald joined the Shell gas company as a clerk in the companies office. But in 1938, WW2 began. After one year, he decided to join the Royal Air Force. He is posted in Lybia flying a Gloster Gladiator. In September 1940, he was shoot down and taken out of duty. In 1941, Roald was moved to Athens, Greece as one of only 15 other pilots. After Greece was eventually taken by the Germans and Italians, he was moved into Hafia where he began to suffer from severe headaches. Unable to fly any longer, he returned home to the U.K.
Early Writing Carrer
Soon after his return home Roald had a collection of short stories published in 1946 and in 1948 had his first novel Some Time Never ( a story about nuclear war) was published. In 1951, Roald meets his future wife and they get married in 1953. Later in 1955, they have a daughter named Olivia and Roald has his only play The Honeys. 2 years later, his second daughter Tessa is born and several of his short stories are made into TV episodes in Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Carrer Takeoff
Things started to look up for Roald Dahl in the 60's. He hosted a season of Way Out, a series on short stories, and published several famous books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and The Magic Finger. He also helped on the screenplay of several movies like You Only Live Twice, and Chity Chity Bang Bang. However, he did lose his oldest daughter Olivia to measles and his mother died, but he did have three children: Theo, Ophelia, and Lucy. The 70's were also excellent. Roald Dahl wrote Fantastic Mr. Fox, Danny the Champion of the World, and The Enormous Crocodile. This was also when the first movie based on his book was produced under Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Roald Dhal also hosted Tales of the Unexpected for several years.
Books
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
James and The Giant Peach
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Later life
The 80's saw many Roald Dahl children's books published like George’s Marvellous Medicine, The BFG, The Witches, Matilda, and Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life. He also divorced his wife in 1983 and marries again to Felicity Crosland. He also has 2 grandchildren born in the decade: Clover, and Luke. Roald Dahl eventually died in November of 1990, but several of his final works are published and several film adaptations are made within the decade. Today Roald Dahl is one of the most famous authors ever.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a book by Roald Dahl. It stars Mr. Fox, and expert ex-theif who has raised a family. When some of his unfriendly farmer Neighbors destroy his home, Mr. Fox must plot a Grand Revenge Scheme against the farmers. One thing is for sure... it'll be FANTASTIC!
FANTASTIC MR. FOX - Official Theatrical Trailer