Roald Dahl; Children’s Author

OXFORD, England —  Roald Dahl, author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach” and other tales for children, died Friday, his agent said. He was 74.

Dahl died at John Radcliffe Hospital, where he was admitted Nov. 12 with an undisclosed infection, according to his agent, Murray Pollinger.

Dahl wrote nine books of short stories, three novels, 19 children’s books, and numerous screenplays and scripts for television, including “Tales of the Unexpected.” Last year, his total paperback sales in Britain topped 2.3 million copies.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was adapted for the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Dahl also wrote the screen adaptation of Ian Fleming’s book “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

Dahl was born Sept. 13, 1916. He is survived by one son and four daughters by his marriage to actress Patricia Neal; another daughter is deceased. Neal and Dahl were divorced in 1983 and he married Felicity Ann Crosland.