Profile of the Day: Roald Dahl

Happy Roald Dahl Day! On this day in 1916, author Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Wales.

Image: Roald Dahl / Library of Congress

Dahl was the son of Norwegian parents, Harald Dahl and and Sofie Hesselberg. Dahl’s father was a wealthy shipbuilder and had emigrated from Sarpsborg, Norway and settled in Cardiff, Wales in the 1880s. His mother later immigrated to the UK and married his father in 1911. During World War I, Dahl served in the Royal Air Force as a flying ace and intelligence officer. He eventually rose to the rank of wing commander.

He rose to prominence in the 1940s with the popular novels The Gremlins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach. Dahl’s works captivated the imaginations of young minds throughout the world. Not only is he one of the world’s best-selling authors, today he is often regarded as one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century.

Explore Roald Dahl’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the author. 

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