Roald Dahl is a British writer.
Roald Dahl ( [ langpronˈroʊ.əld _ ˈdɑːl ] , [ ˈɾuːɑl dɑl ] ; 13 September 1916 -- 23 November 1990 ) was a British novelist , short story writer , poet , screenwriter , and fighter pilot . In 2008 , The Times placed Dahl 16th on its list of `` The 50 greatest British writers since 1945 '' .