Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was a British author and scriptwriter, and "the most popular writer of children's books since Enid Blyton", according to Philip Howard, the literary editor of The Times.

Dahl wrote his first story for children, The Gremlins, in 1943; the story was also written for Walt Disney, who was interested in turning it into a film that was ultimately never made. This was Roald Dahl's first children's book published, though it was originally not written as such. Dahl continued to write short stories, although these were all aimed at the adult market. Dahl worked for periodicals as a short story contributor. Other stories were sold to magazines and newspapers, and were later compiled into collections, the first of which was published in 1946. Dahl began to make up bedtime stories for his children, and these formed the basis of several of his stories. His first novel intentionally written for children, James and the Giant Peach, was published in 1961, which was followed, along with others, by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), Fantastic Mr Fox (1970), Danny, the Champion of the World (1975), The BFG (1982) and Matilda in 1988.

Dahl's first script was for a stage work, The Honeys, which appeared on Broadway in 1955. He followed this with a television script, "Lamb to the Slaughter", for the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series. He co-wrote screenplays for film, including for You Only Live Twice (1967) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). In 1982 Dahl published the first of three editions of poems aimed at children. The following year he edited a book of ghost stories. He wrote several works of non-fiction, including three autobiographies, a cookery book, a safety leaflet for the British railways and a book on measles, which was about the death of his daughter Olivia from measles encephalitis.

As at 2019, Dahl's works have been translated into 63 languages and have sold more than 200 million books worldwide. Dahl was known as “The World’s No. 1 Story-teller” due to how his books are praised in large part for celebrating nonsense, imagination, and creativity. It is considered that because of this his books are still popular with children. 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. In 2008 The Times placed Dahl 16th on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945". He has been referred to by The Independent as "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century". On his death in 1990, journalist Philip Howard considered him "one of the most widely read and influential writers of our generation".

Novels + Dahl's novels Title Year of firstpublication First edition publisher Scope Random House, New York Children Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen Charles Scribner's Sons, New York Adult James and the Giant Peach Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children Harper & Row, New York Children Fantastic Mr Fox Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children Danny, the Champion of the World Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children Alfred A. Knopf, New York Children My Uncle Oswald Michael Joseph, London Adult Jonathan Cape, London Children George's Marvellous Medicine Jonathan Cape, London Children Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York Children Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York Children Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York Children Matilda Viking Kestrel, New York Children Esio Trot Jonathan Cape, London Children Century, London Children Jonathan Cape, London Children

Short story collections

+ Dahl's short story collections Title Year of first publication First edition publisher Scope Over to You: Ten Stories of Flyers and Flying Reynal & Hitchcock, New York Adult Someone Like You Alfred A. Knopf, New York Adult Kiss Kiss Alfred A. Knopf, New York Adult Twenty-Nine Kisses from Roald Dahl Michael Joseph, London Adult Switch Bitch Alfred A. Knopf, New York Adult Jonathan Cape, London Children Vintage Books, New York Adult Tales of the Unexpected Michael Joseph, London Adult More Tales of the Unexpected Michael Joseph, London Adult A Roald Dahl Selection: Nine Short Stories Longmans, London Adult Two Fables Viking Press, London Adult Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life: The Country Stories of Roald Dahl Michael Joseph, London Adult Jonathan Cape, London Children Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult Penguin Books, London Adult

Scripts Many of Dahl's works were used as the basis for films or television programmes. The following are where he is credited as the writer of the performed script.

+ Dahl's scripts Title Year of firstpublication or production First edition publisher,where relevant Media Notes – Stage work Produced at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway. Alfred Hitchcock Presents: "Lamb to the Slaughter" – Television script Way Out: "William and Mary" – Television script Also introduced by Dahl on CBS You Only Live Twice – Film script With Jack Bloom Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Film script With Ken Hughes Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory1971 – Film script – Film script 1976 Puffin Books, London Stage work Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A Play Puffin Books, London Stage work James and the Giant Peach: A Play Puffin Books, London Stage work Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator: A Play Allen & Unwin, London Stage work Fantastic Mr Fox: A Play Puffin Books, London Stage work

Poems + Dahl's poetry Title Year of firstpublication First edition publisher Revolting Rhymes Jonathan Cape, (London) Dirty Beasts Jonathan Cape, (London) Rhyme Stew Jonathan Cape, (London) Songs and Verse Jonathan Cape, (London) Vile Verses Viking Juvenile, (New York)

Books edited + Dahl's work as an editor Title Year of firstpublication First edition publisher Description Notes Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories Jonathan Cape, London Adult; short story collection Editor only

Non-fiction + Dahl's works of non-fiction Title Year of firstpublication First edition publisher Scope Notes Boy: Tales of Childhood Jonathan Cape, London Autobiography Going Solo Jonathan Cape, London Autobiography Measles, a Dangerous Illness Sandwell Health Authority Medical/Autobiographical About the death of his daughter Olivia from measles encephalitis Memories with Food at Gipsy House Viking Press, London Cook book With Felicity Dahl; reissued in softcover in 1996 as Roald Dahl's Cookbook Roald Dahl's Guide to Railway Safety British Railways Board, London Safety booklet Puffin Books, London Diary My Year Jonathan Cape, London Autobiography Puffin Books, London Diary Jonathan Cape, London History First published in book form in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More before release in 1999 as a single title edition

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