September 13th marks the birthday of Roald Dahl, one of the most popular authors of children’s literature of the 20th century. Born in Wales in 1916, Dahl was a first generation Englishman who spent most of his life in the United Kingdom. His famous stories, such as Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, have their origins in Dahl’s tumultuous schooldays. Dahl’s authorial voice -whimsical, outlandish, and fantastical – reflected his steady optimism in the face of hardship.
After his father’s death in 1920, Dahl’s mother sought to uphold their dream of sending their children to English boarding schools. Using the wealth Dahl’s father had accrued, this came to pass, and with it Dahl’s childhood unhappiness. His penchant for pranks, along with being homesick, deepened his sorrow during this period. As he entered his teenage years, his sorrow turned into anger and resentment. Numerous instances of hazing, brutality, and corporal punishment at the hands of older students and teachers traumatized Dahl, forming his imagination in ways that defined his later writings. Dahl’s juxtaposition of an innocent, good child against a twisted, evil adult reflects his experiences in boarding school. These character types lie at the heart of multiple stories, most notably Matilda.
Inscribed first edition of Dahl’s Gremlins.
After his schooldays, Dahl famously took up wings in World War II as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF), eventually becoming a squadron leader. An accident took him out of the pilot’s seat, but led him to a position at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. His transition from wartime England to luxurious America was a shock, but he took to the cultural scene in the capital with great delight. During this period, Dahl engaged in formal embassy work and informal espionage work for Winston Churchill, while also beginning his career as an author. After some help and encouragement from C.S. Forester, Dahl made his first foray into children’s literature with his story Gremlins, published in 1943.
The premise of the story came from an RAF myth about little creatures called Gremlins who were responsible for all the mechanical problems in aircrafts. Dahl’s first children’s book was widely successful, catching the eye of both Eleanor Roosevelt and Walt Disney. The first edition featured above was illustrated by Walt Disney Productions and inscribed by Dahl himself.
First edition of James and the Giant Peach, signed by both Dahl and his illustrator.
Dahl’s successes in children’s literature only grew as he became an established storyteller after the war. Dahl’s grasp of the modern fairy tale was exceptional, as was his ability to draw inspiration from every corner of his life. After his marriage in 1953, Dahl had three children to whom he began to tell bedtime stories. One of these stories, James and the Giant Peach, became a beloved comic fantasy about a small boy who travels the world inside a huge peach, in company with several giant insects. Like many of Dahl’s stories, it was adapted into a film of the same name in 1996. The first edition featured above is signed by both Dahl and his illustrator Nancy Ekholm Burkert.
Inscribed first edition of Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Perhaps the most famous of Dahl’s works to be adapted is his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was the basis for the 1971 film directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and again the 2005 film starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket. Dahl’s story about a mysterious candymaker and the tour he gives to five lucky children remains one of his most popular stories. This particular first edition is inscribed by Dahl, a rare copy of this beloved tale.
Signed first edition of Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Dahl’s stories often centered around children, though he also wrote in the style of older fairy tales about animals. Among this strain of his work lies stories like Fantastic Mr. Fox. Published in 1970, nearly three decades into his writing career, this story centers upon the conflict between Mr. Fox and three vindictive human farmers. Like many of Dahl’s timeless classics, it was adapted into film by director Wes Anderson and released in 2009, featuring the voices of George Clooney as Mr. Fox, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox, and Bill Murray as Badger. This rare first edition is signed by Dahl and in fine condition. An essential piece for collectors of his work.
Dahl continued to write up until his death in 1990. Years after his passing, it is reported that children still leave flowers and toys at his grave in England. The imaginative depth and range of his stories shaped 20th century children’s literature, and his works have permeated the popular culture, to the point that they are even known as famous tales independently of their connection to Dahl. The imagination of an entire generation is built upon the literature of this great author. View our complete collection of Roald Dahl here.
