The origins of these allegations date back to the 1990s, when Dahl's biographer, Jeremy Treglown, published a book that hinted at the author's darker side. Treglown's work sparked a renewed interest in Dahl's life, leading to further investigation and research by other scholars and journalists.

One of the most damning pieces of evidence comes from a 1980s biography of Dahl by David Nelley, which details an incident in which Dahl allegedly poisoned a rival author, Donald Dahl, who had wronged him in some way. According to Nelley, Dahl concocted a toxic drink that he served to Donald, who subsequently fell ill.

The allegations surrounding Roald Dahl's use of poison raise important questions about the author's life and work. If true, these claims would fundamentally alter our understanding of Dahl's personality and motivations. They would also challenge the sanitized image of Dahl that has been presented to the public for decades.