| 1572 |
|
Born
between 24 January and 19 June, into a devout Catholic family,
the third of six children of John and Elizabeth Donne (née
Heywood). |
| 1584 |
|
Donne
and his younger brother Henry matriculate at Hart Hall, Oxford,
23 October. |
| 1588-91 |
|
Perhaps
studies at Cambridge, or travels abroad visiting Italy and Spain. |
| 1591 |
|
Admitted
as law student to Thavies Inn. Earliest surviving portrait painted.
(Miniature, perhaps by Nicholas Hilliard) |
| 1592 |
|
Transfers
from Thavies Inn to Lincoln's Inn. |
| 1596 |
|
Donne
volunteers for military service under the Earl of Essex. He serves
with the English force during the attack on Cadiz. |
| 1597 |
|
Returns
to London from a failed expedition to attack Ferrol. Donne is
appointed Secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton and moves to quarters
at York House, The Strand. |
| 1601 |
|
Donne
sits in Parliament as an MP for Brackley, Northants. He secretly
marries Ann More, Lady Egerton's niece. |
| 1602 |
|
On
breaking the news to Ann's father, Donne loses his position,
and is briefly imprisoned. On his release the couple go to live
with her cousin, Francis Wolley at Pyrford. |
| 1606 |
|
After
some travel abroad, and the birth of three children, Donne moves
his family to a cottage in Mitcham. |
| 1608-12 |
|
Donne
seeks State employment, unsuccessfully. He publishes Pseudo-Martyr,
dedicated to James I, and receives an honorary MA from Oxford.
Donne travels abroad with Sir Robert Drury and his family, and
writes An Anatomy of the World (The First Anniversary) and The
Progress of the Soul (The Second Anniversary) on the death of
the youngest daughter, Elizabeth Drury. On his return to England
Donne and his family move into a house on Drury Lane, close to
Sir Robert's own house. |
| 1613 |
|
Donne
writes an Epithalamion for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth
to Frederick, Elector Palatine. |
| 1614 |
|
Donne's
daughter, Mary, and son, Francis, die.
Donne sits in Parliament as MP for Taunton. |
| 1615 |
|
Ordained
deacon and priest, and appointed a royal chaplain. Made Doctor
of Divinity at Cambridge by royal mandate. |
| 1616 |
|
Receives
rectory of Keyston, Hunts, from king. Chosen Divinity Reader
at Lincoln's Inn. |
| 1617 |
|
Ann
gives birth to her twelfth child, a stillborn daughter, and dies
five days later. |
| 1619 |
|
Donne
leaves England and travels to Germany, preaching before Elector
Palatine and then travelling to Austria and Holland, where he
preaches at The Hague. |
| 1620 |
|
Returns
to London. |
| 1621 |
|
Elected
and installed Dean of St Paul's Cathedral. (22 November). |
| 1623 |
|
Donne's
eldest daughter, Constance, marries Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan
actor and theatre-manager. |
| 1624 |
|
Devotions
upon Emergent Occasions published.
Donne is appointed vicar of St-Dunstan-in-the-West. |
| 1625 |
|
Death
of James I (27 March). Donne preaches at Court. |
| 1630 |
|
Constance
marries Samuel Harvey (Alleyn having died in 1626) Donne falls
ill while visiting her and makes his will (13 December). |
| 1631 |
|
Donne's
mother dies. He preaches his last sermon at Court (25 February).
Dies 31 March. |
