Chronology

John Boynton Priestley

1891

Aug. 4th, Jonathan Priestley marries Emma Holt.

1894

Sept. 13th, birth of John Priestley thereafter known as Jack.

1896

Death of Emma Priestley aged 31.

1910

July 31st, Jack Priestley leaves school to work for a wool firm, begins writing under name John Boynton Priestley.

1913

Jan. 24th, begins a weekly column "Round the Hearth" signed JBP for the Bradford Pioneer. London Opinion accepts an article " Secrets of the Ragtime King" and pays one guinea.

1914

Sept, enlists in army, sees active service in France.

1918

Publishes first book "Chapman of Rhymes" privately printed; later destroys copies.

1919

Spring, leaves army, writes weekly articles for Yorkshire Observer. Autumn, goes up to Cambridge on officer's grant.

1921

Graduates in two years & marries Pat Tempest.

1922

Publishes "Brief Diversions" a critical success attracts attention in literary circles. Moves to London as freelance writer; writes reviews & essays, reads for publisher; publishes collections of essays and books on literary themes. Birth of two daughters.

1924

Summer, death of Jonathan Priestley.

1925

Publishes "The English Comic Characters"; Autumn, death of first wife Pat.

1926

Sept, marries Jane Wyndham-Lewis; they have two daughters and one son.

1927

Publication of first novel "Adam in Moonshine".

1929

Publication of "The Good Companions" and essay collection "The Balconinny".

1930

Publication of "Angel Pavement".

1932

Production of first play "Dangerous Corner".

1933

Forms theatrical production company and leases The Duchess Theatre.

1934

Publishes "English Journey". Writes story for film "Sing As We Go" starring Gracie Fields.

1937

Three new plays on in London: "Time & The Conways", "I Have Been Here Before" and "People at Sea".

1938

Productions of "Music and Night" and "When We Are Married".

1939

Publishes "Rain Upon Godshill".

1940

Broadcasts "Postscripts".

1945

11th May, broadcasts "Journey Into Daylight". "An Inspector Calls" opens in Moscow.

1946

Publishes "Bright Day".

1947

Production of "The Linden Tree". As Delegate to UNESCO conference in Mexico meets Jacquetta Hawkes.

1949

Publishes "Delight".

1952

Writes "Dragon's Mouth" with Jacquetta Hawkes.

1953

Divorces second wife & marries Jacquetta.

1954

Publication of "Low Notes On A High Level".

1957

Helps formation of C.N.D.

1960

Publication of "Literature & Western Man".

1962

Publication of "Margin Released".

1963

Collaborates with Iris Murdoch on stage adaptation of "A Severed Head".

1973

Granted Freedom of the City of Bradford.

1974

Publishes "Outcries & Asides".

1977

Awarded the Order of Merit. Publishes "Instead Of The Trees".

1984

14th Aug, J.B.Priestley dies.

1986

19th April, his ashes are buried in the churchyard at Hubberholme.

1994

13th Sept, Centenary of JBP's birth.

source: http://www.jbpriestley.co.uk/bio.php

For a chronology of Priestley’s works click here