# Roald Dahl

> A Welsh-born former RAF pilot who wrote short stories for adults before turning to the children's books that made him famous.

- Children's author and short-story writer · Charlie and the Chocolate Factory · Matilda
- Known for: *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, *Matilda*, *The BFG* and *The Witches*, and dark short stories for adults.[3][6]
- Born: September 13, 1916
- Died: November 23, 1990
- Last updated: 2026-11-14
- Editorial review: approved 2026-11-14
- Web page: https://authorbackstories.com/classic/roald-dahl/
- Reading list (PDF): https://authorbackstories.com/classic/roald-dahl/reading-list.pdf

## Featured book: Best known

*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (1964). Published in 1964, the story of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka's factory was followed in 1972 by *Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator*.[1][9]

## At a glance

- Born: September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales, to Norwegian parents[3][5]
- School: Repton[5]
- Second World War: RAF fighter pilot, seriously injured in a crash landing in Libya[3]
- Married: The actress Patricia Neal, 1953 (divorced 1983); remarried in 1983[10][5]
- Home: Gipsy House, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire[10]
- Died: November 23, 1990, in Oxford, aged 74[3][5]
- Major award: Whitbread Award, Children's Novel, 1983, for *The Witches*[19]
- Major award: World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, 1983[7]

## Roald Dahl's Backstory

### Early life

Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, near Cardiff in Wales, to Norwegian parents.[3][5] His elder sister and then his father died when he was a small child, and the family moved to Kent.[9][4] He was educated at Repton and then joined the Shell Oil Company, which sent him to Dar es Salaam in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) from 1937 to 1939.[5][3]

### War and the first stories

When the Second World War began he joined the Royal Air Force and flew as a fighter pilot until he was seriously injured in a crash landing in Libya.[3] In 1942 he was posted to the British embassy in Washington, where the novelist C. S. Forester encouraged him to write about the crash; the result appeared in the *Saturday Evening Post*.[12][8] His first book, *The Gremlins* (1943), was written for Walt Disney and was not a success.[3]

### Stories for adults

His collection *Someone Like You* (1953) was a bestseller, and in the same year he married the American actress Patricia Neal; they had five children.[5][10] The family settled at Gipsy House in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, and his eldest daughter died of measles as a child.[10]

### The children's books

According to his publisher, the bedtime stories he made up for his children led him to write for children, starting with *James and the Giant Peach* (1961) and *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (1964).[11][9] Later books included *Fantastic Mr Fox* (1970), *The BFG* (1982), *The Witches* (1983) and *Matilda* (1988).[1] He and Neal divorced in 1983, and he remarried the same year.[10]

### Antisemitism

Dahl made antisemitic remarks in interviews in 1983 and 1990; in 2020 his family and the Roald Dahl Story Company published an apology for "the lasting and understandable hurt" they caused.[20][21]

### Death and legacy

He died in Oxford on November 23, 1990, aged 74, and was buried at the parish church in Great Missenden.[3][5][10] Netflix bought the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights to his work, in 2021.[24][28] In February 2023 his British publisher, Puffin, faced criticism from authors and free-speech groups for hundreds of changes to his children's books, and announced it would keep the original texts in print as "The Roald Dahl Classic Collection."[22][23]

## Fun facts

- His first published work, "Shot Down Over Libya," appeared in the *Saturday Evening Post* in August 1942, after the novelist C. S. Forester asked him for notes on his crash.[8][12]
- *The Gremlins* was written for Walt Disney, whose planned film was never made.[3][6]
- He wrote in a hut in his garden at Gipsy House; the hut is now on display at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden.[14]
- In Washington he worked alongside the novelist Ian Fleming in British intelligence.[13]

## Books

In order of first publication; each series is kept together in reading order.

Novels, children's books, story collections, poetry and nonfiction from Wikipedia's Roald Dahl bibliography and the Roald Dahl Museum's list of published works, dated by first publication; compilations of earlier stories, screenplays and stage adaptations are left out.[1][2]

- 1943: *The Gremlins* (Children's book). His first book, written for Walt Disney about the creatures RAF pilots blamed for mechanical failures.[3][15] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Gremlins%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1946: *Over to You: Ten Stories of Flyers and Flying* (Story collection). Stories drawn from the war.[4] ISBN 9780140035742. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780140035742) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780140035742)
- 1948: *Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen* (Novel). His first novel for adults.[1] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Sometime%20Never%3A%20A%20Fable%20for%20Supermen%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1953: *Someone Like You* (Story collection). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Someone%20Like%20You%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1960: *Kiss Kiss* (Story collection). ISBN 9780140018325. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780140018325) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780140018325)
- 1961: *James and the Giant Peach* (Children's book). His first children's novel.[1] ISBN 9780425287651. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780425287651) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780425287651)
- **Charlie Bucket** (series, 2 books, 1964–1972)
  - 1964: Book 1, *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (Children's book). ISBN 9780142410318. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142410318) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142410318)
  - 1972: Book 2, *Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator* (Children's book). ISBN 9780425287835. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780425287835) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780425287835)
- 1966: *The Magic Finger* (Children's book). ISBN 9780142413852. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142413852) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142413852)
- 1970: *Fantastic Mr Fox* (Children's book). Inspired by the Chiltern countryside near his home.[2] ISBN 9780425287842. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780425287842) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780425287842)
- 1974: *Switch Bitch* (Story collection). ISBN 9780143122289. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780143122289) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780143122289)
- 1975: *Danny, the Champion of the World* (Children's book). ISBN 9780425290088. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780425290088) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780425290088)
- 1977: *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More* (Story collection). ISBN 9780375814235. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780375814235) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780375814235)
- 1978: *The Enormous Crocodile* (Children's book). A picture book.[1] ISBN 9780451480002. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780451480002) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780451480002)
- 1979: *My Uncle Oswald* (Novel). A novel for adults.[1] ISBN 9780143122296. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780143122296) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780143122296)
- 1980: *The Twits* (Children's book). ISBN 9780425290095. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780425290095) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780425290095)
- 1981: *George's Marvellous Medicine* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=George's%20Marvellous%20Medicine%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1982: *Revolting Rhymes* (Poetry). ISBN 9780142302262. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142302262) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142302262)
- 1982: *The BFG* (Children's book). ISBN 9781984837158. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781984837158) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781984837158)
- 1983: *Dirty Beasts* (Poetry). ISBN 9780141501741. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780141501741) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780141501741)
- 1983: *The Witches* (Children's book). Won the 1983 Whitbread Award for children's novel.[18][19] ISBN 9781984837165. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781984837165) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781984837165)
- 1984: *Boy: Tales of Childhood* (Memoir). His childhood, up to leaving school.[1] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Boy%3A%20Tales%20of%20Childhood%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1985: *The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me* (Children's book). ISBN 9780142413845. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142413845) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142413845)
- 1986: *Going Solo* (Memoir). His years in Africa and in the RAF.[1] ISBN 9780142413838. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142413838) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142413838)
- 1986: *Two Fables* (Story collection). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Two%20Fables%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1988: *Matilda* (Children's book). ISBN 9781984836106. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781984836106) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781984836106)
- 1989: *Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life* (Story collection). ISBN 9780140118476. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780140118476) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780140118476)
- 1989: *Rhyme Stew* (Poetry). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Rhyme%20Stew%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1990: *Esio Trot* (Children's book). ISBN 9780142413821. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780142413821) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780142413821)
- 1991: *Memories with Food at Gipsy House* (Nonfiction). A cookbook, written with his wife.[1] ISBN 9780670834624. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780670834624) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780670834624)
- 1991: *The Minpins* (Children's book). Published after his death.[1] ISBN 9780141501789. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780141501789) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780141501789)
- 1991: *The Vicar of Nibbleswicke* (Children's book). Published after his death.[1] ISBN 9780140368376. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780140368376) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780140368376)
- 1993: *My Year* (Memoir). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=My%20Year%20Roald%20Dahl)
- 1999: *The Mildenhall Treasure* (Nonfiction). ISBN 9780224046459. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780224046459) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780224046459)

## Latest news

- Aug. 26, 2026: Netflix announced that a series based on Dahl's short stories for adults was in production, directed by Runyararo Mapfumo and Ben Gregor.[25]
- March 23, 2026: *Giant*, Mark Rosenblatt's play about a confrontation between Dahl and his publishers over an article accused of antisemitism, opened on Broadway with John Lithgow as Dahl; Lithgow won the 2026 Tony Award for best leading actor in a play.[32][33]

## Adaptations and other media

### Film

- *The Witches* (2020). Based on *The Witches*. A film directed by Robert Zemeckis.[31]
- *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar* (2023). Based on *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More*. A live-action short film by Wes Anderson, with Benedict Cumberbatch, released on Netflix on September 27, 2023; it won the Academy Award for best live-action short film.[29][30]
- *The Twits* (2025). Based on *The Twits*. An animated Netflix film written and directed by Phil Johnston, released October 17, 2025, with songs by David Byrne and Hayley Williams.[24][26][27]

## Myth and record

- Claim: Dahl invented the word "gremlin" when he wrote *The Gremlins*, as reference works and fan trivia still say.[6][17]
  The record: "Gremlin" was RAF slang before the war, with a first documented use in 1929; Dahl's 1943 book spread it beyond the Royal Air Force.[15][16]

## Timeline

- Sept. 13, 1916: Born in Llandaff, Cardiff.[3]
- 1920: His father dies; the family moves to Kent.[4]
- 1937–1939: Works for Shell in Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika.[3]
- 1942: Posted to the British embassy in Washington; publishes his first story, about his crash.[12][8]
- 1943: *The Gremlins*, his first book.[3]
- 1953: *Someone Like You* is published; marries Patricia Neal.[5]
- 1961: *James and the Giant Peach*, his first children's novel.[1]
- 1964: *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* is published.[1]
- 1988: *Matilda* is published.[1]
- Nov. 23, 1990: Dies in Oxford, aged 74.[3][5]
- 2021: Netflix buys the Roald Dahl Story Company.[24]
- February 2023: Puffin's edits to his children's books prompt a backlash and a "Classic Collection" of the original texts.[22][23]
- Aug. 26, 2026: Netflix announces a series based on his stories for adults.[25]

## What came after

Netflix's series based on his stories for adults is in production, and an animated series based on *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* has been announced.[25][24]

## Sources

1. [Roald Dahl bibliography](https://iiab.live/kiwix/content/wikipedia_en_top1m_maxi_2024-05/A/Roald_Dahl_bibliography). Wikipedia (2024 snapshot). (reference)
2. [Roald Dahl's published works](https://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/archive/roald-dahls-published-works/). Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. (primary record)
3. [Roald Dahl](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roald-Dahl). Encyclopaedia Britannica. (reference)
4. [Roald Dahl](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Roald-Dahl/310917). Britannica Kids. (reference)
5. [Roald Dahl](https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/roald-dahl). Biography.com. (reference)
6. [Dahl, Roald](https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dahl-roald). Encyclopedia.com. (reference)
7. [Roald Dahl Biography](https://www.sparknotes.com/author/roald-dahl/). SparkNotes. (reference)
8. [Roald Dahl](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Roald_Dahl). New World Encyclopedia. (reference)
9. [Roald Dahl](https://www.bookologymagazine.com/resources/authors-emeritus/dahl-roald/). Bookology Magazine. (website)
10. [Roald Dahl](https://www.chilterns.org.uk/map_marker/roald-dahl/). Chilterns National Landscape. (website)
11. [A short history of Roald Dahl](https://www.penguin.com.au/article/103-roald-dahl-short-history). Penguin Books Australia. (primary record)
12. [When Roald Dahl Spied on the United States](https://www.history.com/news/when-roald-dahl-spied-on-the-united-states). History.com. (news)
13. [The Story Of Roald Dahl](https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/wales/articles/the-story-of-roald-dahl). Culture Trip. (website)
14. [Gipsy House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gipsy_House). Wikipedia. (reference)
15. [gremlin](https://wordsmith.org/words/gremlin.html). A.Word.A.Day (Wordsmith.org). (reference)
16. [Gremlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gremlin). Wikipedia. (reference)
17. [Roald Dahl trivia](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001094/trivia). IMDb. (website)
18. [Whitbread Children's Book Award](https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/LiteraryPrizes/Whitbread/). Christchurch City Libraries. (reference)
19. [Costa Book Awards](https://www.britannica.com/art/Costa-Book-Award). Encyclopaedia Britannica. (reference)
20. [Roald Dahl family sorry for author's anti-Semitic remarks](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/432262/roald-dahl-family-sorry-for-author-s-anti-semitic-remarks). RNZ. (news)
21. [Roald Dahl's family apologises for his antisemitism](https://thejc.com/news/roald-dahls-family-apologises-for-his-antisemitism-nlp2npgh). The Jewish Chronicle. (news)
22. [Roald Dahl's publisher responds to backlash by keeping 'classic' texts in print](https://www.npr.org/2023/02/24/1159224907/roald-dahls-publisher-responds-to-backlash-by-keeping-classic-texts-in-print). NPR. (news)
23. [Penguin to publish original Roald Dahl books after backlash](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/penguin-to-publish-original-roald-dahl-books-after-backlash). Khaleej Times (AP). (news)
24. [The Twits: What to Know About the Animated Roald Dahl Film](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-twits-release-date-photos-news). Netflix Tudum. (primary record)
25. [Get Marooned with a Deliciously Dark Series of Roald Dahl's Very Grownup Stories](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/roald-dahl-series-release-date-cast-news). Netflix Tudum. (primary record)
26. [The Twits review](https://www.avclub.com/the-twits-review). The A.V. Club. (news)
27. [Netflix Reveals 'The Twits' Release Date, Song List, Additional Cast](https://awn.com/tag/todd-demong). Animation World Network. (news)
28. [Netflix's The Twits adaptation is part of its much bigger plans for Roald Dahl](https://thenightly.com.au/culture/film/netflixs-the-twits-adaptation-is-part-of-its-much-bigger-plans-for-roald-dahl-c-20380632). The Nightly. (news)
29. [Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl Netflix short films](https://www.gamesradar.com/wes-anderson-roald-dahl-netflix-short-films-henry-sugar). GamesRadar+. (news)
30. ['The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More' Sets Re-Release on Netflix](https://whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-wonderful-story-of-henry-sugar-and-three-more-sets-re-release-on-netflix). What's on Netflix. (news)
31. [THE WITCHES (2020) review](https://getyourcomicon.co.uk/blog/tag/roald-dahl/). Get Your Comic On. (news)
32. [John Lithgow Sets Broadway Return in Olivier-Winning Drama Giant](https://www.theatermania.com/news/john-lithgow-sets-broadway-return-in-olivier-winning-drama-giant_1803573). TheaterMania. (news)
33. [Giant (Broadway, 2026)](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/giant-544195). Internet Broadway Database. (reference)