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: 1

Quotes by William Golding

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