Faulkner, William

In reality William Cuthbert Falkner, American author, born in New Albany, Mississippi but raised mainly in Oxford in the same state. Faulkner descended from a well-established Southern family. He was baptized after his great grandfather, "Old Colonel" William Clark Falkner, who had fought in the civil war and written a popular novel, The White Rose of Memphis (1880). Faulkner quit his studies early on and began working at his grandfather’s bank. In connection with the First World War, he tried to enlist in the American air force, but was rejected because of his short height. Instead he managed to enroll in the RAF, the British air force, by lying about his age, place of birth, and other details. He also began writing his name Faulkner, believing it would appear more British that way. He was sent to Toronto for training, but the war ended before his education had come to an end. He then returned to Oxford, where he liked to brag about his war experiences, e.g. about how he was shot down and wounded.