| 1785 |
Charles Bird King born in Newport, Rhode Island, on September
26, the only child of Deborah Bird and Captain Zebulon King. |
| 1789 |
On April 30, father killed by Indians at Marietta, Ohio.
Probably lives at home of grandparents and undoubtedly receives lessons
in art from grandfather, Nathaniel Bird. |
| 1796-1800 |
Probably lives at 32 Clarke Street, Newport, in house of
stepfather, Nicholas Garrison, whom mother married by 1796. Receives informal
art instruction from neighbor, Samuel King. |
| 1800-1805 |
Serves apprenticeship with Edward Savage in New York. |
| 1806-1812 |
Departs for London sometime between June and September
1806. Studies at Royal Academy. Shares rooms with Thomas Sully from July
1809 to March 1810. Sends home, probably by way of Sully, ten volumes for
Redwood Library. Begins collection of prints. |
| 1812 |
Presents 27 volumes to Redwood in October. Moves to Philadelphia. |
| 1813 |
Exhibits four paintings at Pennsylvania Academy of the
Fine Arts. |
| 1814 |
Exhibits one painting at Pennsylvania Academy and is listed
in catalog of exhibition as residing in Richmond, Virginia. Is in Washington,
D.C., by December. |
| 1815 |
Leaves Washington before summer. Moves to Baltimore by
December. Paints self-portrait (at left). |
| 1816 |
Visits Newport on death of grandfather Bird in November.
Gives a painting to Redwood. Returns to Baltimore by December, then proceeds
to Washington. |
| 1818 |
Exhibits one painting at Pennsylvania Academy. Stops in
New York en route to or on his return from Newport during his annual summer
visit. In Washington by December. Has studio at Twelfth and F Streets. |
| 1819 |
In February, mentions to John Quincy Adams his plans to
return to Baltimore, but circumstances keep him in Washington and cause
him to settle there until his death. Visits Newport on the death of his
mother in October. Commenting on King in his diary, Adams noted, He is
one of the best portrait painters in the country; little inferior to [Gilbert]
Stewart. He is also an ingenious, thinking man, with a faculty of conversing
upon almost any topic. |
| 1820 |
Visits Newport in July to settle mother's estate. Sells
Clarke Street house, inherited from mother, to aunt, Susanna Vinson, for
$1,000. |
| 1823 |
Exhibits five paintings at Pennsylvania Academy. Joins
Washington Botanical Society. |
| 1827 |
Elected honorary member, professional, in National Academy
of Design. |
| 1828 |
Exhibits four paintings at Boston Athenæum. |
| 1829 |
Gives Redwood five volumes and two portraits. |
| 1831 |
Exhibits one painting at Boston Athenæum. Exhibits
portrait of John Quincy Adams at Pennsylvania Academy. |
| 1835 |
Gives Redwood nine volumes. |
| 1836 |
Gives Redwood one volume. |
| 1837 |
Gives Redwood a portrait of Columbus. |
| 1842 |
Gives Redwood two volumes. |
| 1843 |
Reinherits Clarke Street house on death of aunt. |
| 1843 |
Gives Redwood one volume, a copy of portrait of Governor
William Coddington of Rhode Island, and $100, to be matched by Redwood's
Board of Directors, for purchase of books. |
|
|
| 1844 |
Gives Redwood nineteen volumes and money to purchase two
ladders for fire protection. |
| 1845 |
Gives Redwood one volume. |
| 1846 |
Gives Redwood eight or nine volumes and possibly some portraits.1847
Gives Redwood 39 volumes. |
| 1850 |
Establishes public gallery of art at Clarke Street home,
but lack of interest causes him to discontinue it. |
| 1855 |
Paints self-portrait at age 70 (see page 9). |
| 1856 |
Joins Washington Art Association but is inactive member. |
| 1857 |
Visits Newport and Philadelphia. |
| 1859 |
Gives several volumes to Redwood and 78 paintings, to be
hung in the newly added Reading Room. |
| 1860 |
Gives Redwood seven volumes. |
| 1861 |
Gives Redwood 46 volumes, many maps and pamphlets, and
42 paintings. Becomes gravely ill later in year. |
| 1862 |
Dies in Washington, D.C., March 18. Buried in Newport Island
Cemetery. Bequest to Redwood includes 75 paintings, 395 volumes, about
$10,000, and 14 volumes of engravings. |
