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Who was Roald Dahl?
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, poet, screenwriter, short-story writer, and wartime fighter pilot. He became a prominent author, penning amazing and humorous stories for children after his flourishing career in the ‘Royal Air Force’ ended due to head injuries. With his short stories being ranked among the world’s best-selling fiction books, he is often considered one of the greatest children’s storytellers of the 20th century. Such is the recognition and glory of his much-acclaimed best-selling books that they have been published in over 60 languages across the world. While his children’s stories were fast-moving, his adult fiction, on the other hand, gained recognition for its sudden twists and unexpected storylines. While imaginative plots were the highlights of his adult stories, children’s fiction usually consisted of word coinages, neologism, and puns, such as ‘Oompa Loompa,’ ‘Mugglewump,’ ‘Fleshlump eater,’ and Vermicious Knids.’ He dedicated his most-loved novel ‘The BFG’ to his eldest daughter Olivia. Many of his publications, such as ‘Matilda’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ have been made into successful films and musical stage plays. Even after his death, his works continue to inspire several budding authors and entertain children and adults alike around the globe.
Career
After completing his schooling in 1934, he took up a job in ‘Shell Petroleum Company’ in Mombasa, Kenya, after two years of training in the UK. Subsequently, he was transferred to Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania.
To accomplish his adventurous dreams, he entered the ‘Royal Air Force’ in 1939 as an aircraftsman. Upon completing his training in Nairobi, Kenya, he became an acting pilot officer.
During his term in the Mediterranean in 1940, his plane crashed in Fouka, Libya, injuring his spine and skull, crushing his nose, and blinding him for days. He underwent hip replacement surgery and six spinal surgeries.
Following his treatment for months in the hospital, he was discharged in 1941 and resumed his flying duties in Athens, Greece. However, his recurring blinding headaches forced him to leave RAF and return to Britain.
In 1942, he went to Washington DC and became an assistant air attaché in the British Embassy. During his stay in Washington DC, he met novelist C.S. Forester and started his writing career with a short story for ‘The Saturday Evening Post.’
His first children’s picture book ‘The Gremlins’ was published in 1943, followed by a collection of his war stories ‘Over To You’ in 1946. His novel ‘Sometime Never’ was published in 1948.
Apart from writing marvelous stories for kids, he also became an established short-story writer for adults. His books, written for adults, were full of unexpected twists and dark humor.
He released his autobiographies ‘Boy: Tales of Childhood’ and ‘Going Solo’ in 1984 and 1986 respectively.
He turned down the Order of the British Empire (OBE) during the 1986 ‘New Year Honours.’ It was reported that he turned down the honor as he wanted a knighthood.
In 2016, he was posthumously honored with BBC’s ‘Blue Peter Gold Badge,’ which was received by his daughter Lucy.
