Authors

William Golding

William Golding (1911–1993) was a British novelist, essayist, and Nobel Prize winner, best known for Lord of the Flies. He viewed writing as disciplined craft rather than romantic inspiration, a theme reflected in his quote on the artist as a craftsman.

Quotes: 2

Quotes by William Golding

I would almost prefer the word 'craftsman'. He is like one of those old-fashioned ship builders who conceived the build of the boat in their mind and after that touched every single piece. — William Golding

The Artist as a Master Craftsman

At first glance, Golding’s preference for the word “craftsman” shifts attention away from the romantic image of effortless genius and toward disciplined making. The term suggests someone who does not merely imagine a wor...

Created on: 7/7/2026

I am against the picture of the artist as a starry-eyed visionary. I'd almost prefer the word 'craftsman.' — William Golding

The Artist as Craftsman, Not Dreaming Visionary

William Golding pushes back against a familiar cultural fantasy: the artist as a mystical figure swept along by inspiration alone. At once blunt and corrective, his preference for the word “craftsman” suggests that art i...

Created on: 4/30/2026