Though he and his work have been criticised for antisemitism, racism and misogyny, in 2008, The Times placed Dahl 16th on its list of 'The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945'. His awards for contribution to literature include the 1983 World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the British Book Awards' Children's Author of the Year in 1990. He has been referred to as 'one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century'. He rose to prominence as a writer in the 1940s with works for children and for adults, and he became one of the world's best-selling authors. He became a fighter pilot and, subsequently, an intelligence officer, rising to the rank of acting wing commander. He served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
ĭahl was born in Wales to affluent Norwegian immigrant parents, and spent most of his life in England.
His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot.
