Dahl's early life was marked by tragedy. His sister, Astri, died of appendicitis when he was only three years old. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother remarried two years later. Dahl did not get along with his stepfather and was sent to boarding school at the age of eight.
Dahl attended several different boarding schools, including Repton School in Derbyshire. He was not a particularly good student, but he developed a love of writing and was a member of the school debating society. After graduating from Repton, Dahl worked for a year as a shell company employee in London.
In 1939, Dahl joined the Royal Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He was shot down over Libya and badly injured, but he survived and returned to England. After the war, Dahl worked for the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., and later as a journalist.
In 1943, Dahl married the American actress Patricia Neal. They had five children together, but their daughter, Olivia, died of measles at the age of seven. Dahl's experiences with the loss of his daughter inspired some of his most famous stories, such as "The BFG" and "Danny, the Champion of the World."
Dahl's writing career took off in the 1950s with the publication of his first children's book, "The Gremlins." He went on to write many other successful children's books, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "The Witches." Dahl's books are known for their dark humor, fantastical elements, and memorable characters.
Roald Dahl died of leukemia in 1990 at the age of 74. He is considered one of the most influential children's authors of all time, and his books continue to be enjoyed by children around the world.