The Witches Author is Roald Dahl, a four-letter word. Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. He was born in Wales in 1916 and died in 1990. He wrote many beloved children's books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG. His most famous work, however, is The Witches, which was published in 1983.