Roald Dahl: 110 years since the birth of the influential children's author

The literary world marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl, one of the most influential children's authors of the 20th century. Born on September 13, 1916, in Wales to a family of Norwegian origin, Dahl's life was marked by diverse experiences before his literary success.

Prior to his writing career, Dahl served as a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force during World War II and worked in diplomatic and intelligence roles. His wartime experiences, including a plane crash in North Africa, significantly influenced his later work. He also worked for the Shell oil company in East Africa.

Dahl is globally recognized for creating imaginative and often subversive worlds in classics such as ‘Matilda’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘James and the Giant Peach’, and ‘The BFG’. His stories are noted for portraying childhood not just as an innocent period, but as one that can be absurd, unjust, and deeply imaginative.