14. William Golding
William Golding, born in 1911, was a British novelist best known for his 1954 novel ‘Lord of the Flies,’ which explores themes of human nature and societal breakdown. However, his personal history includes troubling incidents. In his unpublished memoir, Golding admitted to attempting to rape a 15-year-old girl named Dora when he was 18. He recounted that during a walk, he tried to force himself on her, but she resisted and ran away. Golding later described his actions as ‘wrestling like enemies’ and acknowledged his ineptitude in the attempt. Additionally, as a teacher, Golding experimented with setting boys against each other, mirroring the dynamics in his novel. These revelations have led to discussions about the separation of an artist’s work from their personal conduct. (The Guardian)
