Roald Dahl (1916-1990)
 photo by Casey |
Roald Dahl was born in 1916 in Wales to Norwegian parents. He was educated at Repton School in England. At the age of 18, he started working for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. He enlisted as an RAF fighter pilot during WWII and began writing after sustaining, what he called, a "monumental bash on the head" during the war. His first twelve short stories based on his wartime experiences were originally published in leading American magazines. Later they were published as a book titled Over to You.
Roald Dahl is one of the most successful and well known of all children's writers. His books, which are read by children all over the world, include Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Magic Finger, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Twits, The BFG, and the Witches, which was the winner of the 1983 Whitbread Award. Roald Dahl died of leukemia on 23rd November, 1990 at the age of 74. Many of his books have been adapted for movies and have enjoyed considerable success.
Roald Dahl books are full of humor, wit and rather wild imagination which are a source of considerable appeal to children. And so are his witty verses and hilarious poems. Dahl's books have been illustrated by Quentin Blake in cartoonish pen scrawls which perfectly suit the theme of the books.
Roald Dahl was also a noted philanthropist and frequently gave time and money to people in need, particularly the sick, the disabled and the orphans. After his death, his widow Felicity Dahl, established the Roald Dahl Foundation to continue this tradition.
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