Renowned primarily as a writer, he was born in Wales to Norwegian parents in 1916. Initially serving as a fighter pilot in World War II, he transitioned to a literary career, crafting darkly whimsical children's stories and macabre adult tales. His vivid imagination and unique narrative voice led to classics like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda." His works have been adapted into numerous films, leaving a lasting legacy in both literature and cinema.