Roald Dahl
(1916-1990)

Died aged 74

Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter ace of Norwegian descent. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Dahl has been called "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century". Dahl was born in Wales to affluent Norwegian immigrant parents, and spent most of his life in England. He served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He became a fighter pilot and, subsequently, an intelligence officer, rising to the rank of acting wing commander. He rose to prominence as a writer in the 1940s with works for children and for adults, and he became one of the world's best-selling authors. His awards for contribution to literature include the 1983 World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the British Book Awards' Children's Author of the Year in 1990. Dahl and his work have been criticised for racial stereotypes, misogyny and anti-semitism, the latter contradicted by those who knew him. In 2008, The Times placed Dahl 16th on its list of "The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945". In 2021, Forbes ranked him the top-earning dead celebrity. Dahl's short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, macabre, often darkly comic mood, featuring villainous adult enemies of the child characters. His children's books champion the kindhearted and feature an underlying warm sentiment. His works for children include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Twits, George's Marvellous Medicine and Danny, the Champion of the World. His works for older audiences include the short story collections Tales of the Unexpected and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More.

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Commemorated on 7 plaques

Roald Dahl [full inscription unknown]

Palace Road, Cardiff, United Kingdom where they lived

Roald Dahls Plass This plaque was unveiled 13 July 2002 by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Councillor Russell Goodway in the presence of His Excellency Tarald Brautaset, Norwegian Ambassador to Britain and Mrs Felicity Dahl to commemorate the renaming of the Oval Basin and to celebrate the life and works of Roald Dahl (1916-1990) who was born in Cardiff and christened at the Norwegian Church. Dadorchuddiwyd y plac hwn 13 Gorffennaf 2002 gan Y Gwir Anrhydeddus Arglwydd Faer Caerdydd Y Cynghorydd Russell Goodway ym mhresenoldeb Ei Ardderchowgrwydd Tarald Brautaset, Llysgennad Norwy i Brydain a Mrs Felicity Dahl i ddathlu ailenwi'r Basn Hirgrwn ac i ddathlu bywyd a gwaith Roald Dahl (1916-1990) a aned yng Nghaerdydd ac a fedyddiwyd yn yr Eglwys Norwyaidd

Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, United Kingdom where they was christened at the nearby Norwegian Church (1916)

Roald Dahl Author Awdur Born 1916 Llandaff Ganwyd 1916 Llandaf Died 1990 Bu farw 1990 Site of 'Mrs Pratchett's' sweetshop during his time at Cathedral School as recalled in his autobiography 'Boy'. Safle siop losin 'Mrs Pratchett' yn ystod ei gyfod yn Ysgol y Gadeirlan yn ôl ei hunangofiant

English translation:

11 High Street, Llandaff, Cardiff, United Kingdom where they was

Roald Dahl children's author stayed here in The Cabin every Easter Holiday between 1920-36 with his Mother and siblings

The Cabin, Castle Square, Tenby, United Kingdom where they stayed (1920-1936)

Roald Dahl storyteller was born here when it was 'Villa Marie' 13.09.1916

Ty Gwyn, Fairwater Road, Cardiff, United Kingdom where they was born (1916)

Roald Dahl 1916-1990 Children's author Attended the former St Peter's School on this site

corner of St Peter’s Avenue and Shrubbery Drive, Weston-super-Mare, United Kingdom where they attended school

Cumberland Lodge Roald Dahl Storyteller lived here Storïwr bu'n byw yma 1921-1927

English translation: Cumberland Lodge Roald Dahl Storyteller lived here Storyteller he lived here 1921-1927 [AWS Translate]

Cumberland Lodge, Cardiff Road, Cardiff, United Kingdom where they lived (1921-1927)