10 Facts About Roald Dahl

10 Facts About Roald Dahl

The literary maestro has captivated readers of all ages with his dark humor, highly imaginative stories, and unforgettable words. The likes of phizz-whizzing and lickswishy, the British children’s writer Roald Dahl showcased his charm and wit through his books.

Furthermore, his literary works have received many awards. He was 1983’s recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 1990 he was the Children’s Author of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Additionally, he was posthumously featured in The Times 2008 ranking of “The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945”. Roald Dahl was also part of a 2021 Forbes listing of top-earning dead celebrities. If you’ve had a taste of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delve a little more into the writer’s life and career with the facts below.

Here are the 10 Truths About Roald Dahl.

1. Roald Dahl grew up in England

Professional studio portrait, commissioned by Sofie Magdalene Dahl. Cardiff, 1927., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

His birth location was Wales while his birth date was 13 September 1916. His father Harald Dahl and his mother Sofie Magdalene Dahl were both of Norwegian descent.

Moreover, Roald’s father had relocated to the United Kingdom in the 1880s and so when he married Sofie in 1911, she moved with him to the UK. Hence Roald was born in Wales and grew up in England for most of his life.

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2. He was named Roald after the polar explorer Roald Amundsen

Dahl got his first name out of his parent’s admiration of Amundsen. This polar explorer was of Norwegian ancestry and respected in the region and beyond.

Furthermore, Roald Amundsen is famous for being the first explorer to transit the Northwest Passage from 1903 to 1905. He also made a record as the first to reach the South Pole in 1911. In 1926 he became the first to fly over the North Pole in an airship.

3. Roald Dahl met his favorite childhood author at six years

Charles G.Y. King (1854-1937), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He was only six years when he met English writer Beatrix Potter. The author is honored for classic children’s literature such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The book portrays the mischievous Peter Rabbit who is a children’s favorite throughout generations.

Additionally, this meeting inspired the creation of a 2020 television drama film. The title of the film is Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse. It is based on the true story of six-year-old Dahl meeting with his idol Potter.

4. He took part in Second World War as a fighter pilot

Before Roald Dahl started writing, he worked in different industries. He started his work life at the Shell Petroleum Company in 1934. He was trained in the UK and sent on duty in East Africa’s Kenya and Tanzania regions.

To add on, it was in November 1939 that he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the capacity of aircraftman. He began his service in the African region and was later sent on assignment to other parts of the world.

During World War II Dahl survived a plane crash while on his flying duties. He fractured his skull, his nose was smashed and he became temporarily blind as a result of the accident. But in February 1941, he was discharged and declared fit to resume his flying tasks.

Afterward, in September of the same year, he was promoted to flying officer from the rank of pilot officer on probation. At the end of the war, he had risen to the rank of wing commander. He served in the Royal Air Force until 1946.

See the Must-Read World War II Books to Understand What Happened.

5. Roald Dahl’s first published work came in 1943

Onderwijsgek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He started writing in the 1940s and his wartime escapades were bought and published in the American magazine, The Saturday Evening Post. The narratives appeared in the magazine’s 1 August 1942 issue under the title Shot Down Over Libya.

On top of that, the children’s author released his first book, The Gremlins in 1943. The book was based on folklore about the Royal Air Force where little mischievous creatures were blamed by the pilots for causing havoc on their aircraft.

6. His rise to fame was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal by Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roald’s 1964 children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory earned him widespread acclaim. It has since been a children’s favorite across the world. His other 20th-century best-sellers in the children’s genre include James and the Giant Peach (1961).

Over and above that, his other masterworks are Fantastic Mr Fox (1970), Danny, the Champion of the World (1975), and The Twits (1980). Also, George’s Marvellous Medicine (1981), The BFG (1982), The Witches (1983), and Matilda (1988). Besides novels, he has several collections of adult short stories. His creations have been adapted into film and other forms of literature.

7. Dahl drew inspiration for his books from life experiences

Though his imagination played a big role in most of his writing, most of his stories were sparked by encounters he had in life. For instance, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was triggered by Roald’s childhood encounters. During his growing up, candy companies often solicited children’s input to promote their products.

To boot, he used both fictional characters as well as the names of people he had interactions with in real life. For example, in The Witches novel, the grandmother mentioned in the book is based on Roald’s mother. Sophie in The BFG is named after his granddaughter of the same name.

8. He cherished writing from his garden

George Mahoney / Roald Dahl’s gypsy caravan

Roald Dahl had put up a little shed he called a ‘writing hut’ in his backyard at the bottom of his garden. It was from there he penned most of his writing.

Better still, he spent about four hours daily on writing. He worked on a schedule of 10 am to 12 pm and an afternoon session from 4 pm to 6 pm. He loved using a pencil to write and he never learned how to type out his work.

9. Roald Dahl is celebrated for inventing words

He is appreciated for his creative ability to come up with whimsical words and character names. Some of these words include phizz-whizzing which refers to a liking for something or someone. Wondercrump is another word Dahl used to describe wonderful or splendid experiences. He used Lickswishy to elaborate on a flavorsome taste.

Other popular words by the writer are Snozzberry (a type of edible berry) and Snozzwanger (a type of creature). Oompa-Loompas is a character name while whizzpopping and scrumdiddlyumptious are among many more words credited to Roald’s creativity.

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10. He was exceptionally tall

Hans van Dijk for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roald had a unique height reaching 1.98 meters which is a little above the 1.7m average height of men. Thus his height translated in other measurements stands at 6 feet 6 inches.

Roald Dahl met his demise at the age of 74 years while in England on 23 November 1990. He was buried with items he considered special during his life according to his wish. These favorites were chocolate, red wine, and HB pencils. A power saw and his snooker cues also accompanied him in his grave.

Even after his departure, his legacy is alive through his books. Further, the distinctive words and character names he gave to the world of literature speak for him from generation to generation.