Virginia Woolf

Adeline Virginia Stephen was born on January 25th in South Kensington, London, to a blended family with eight siblings, including her sister Vanessa Bell. She received home-schooling in English classics and Victorian literature from an early age.

Moved to Talland House with her family for the summer, where she would spend three months each year for 13 years, developing her writing skills and exploring her creativity.

Virginia Woolf submitted her first article to a competition in Tit-Bits at the age of 8, marking the beginning of her writing career.

Caroline Stephen took a peace testimony for Quakerism, a pivotal moment in her spiritual journey that had an impact on her family life and relationships with her children, including Virginia Woolf.

Virginia Woolf's mother, Julia Stephen, died on January 28th at her home in Bloomsbury, London. This event had a profound impact on Virginia's life and would later influence her writing and philosophical views.

Virginia Woolf's mother died, leading to a major breakdown in Virginia that had a profound lifelong effect. This event had a lasting impact on her life and writing, shaping her relationships with family members and influencing her literary output.

Virginia Woolf experienced a major breakdown after her mother's death, which would have a lasting impact on her mental health and relationships throughout her life.

Leslie Stephen helped found the Union of Ethical Societies, which reflected his progressive views on social issues, influencing Woolf's own intellectual and artistic pursuits.

Adeline Virginia Stephen began attending the Ladies' Department of King's College London, where she studied classics and history.

Began keeping a diary, which she maintained for 12 years, to cope with her grief after her aunt's death and to explore her own thoughts and feelings.

Married George Duckworth in April, just months before her aunt's death, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

Suffered a severe mental breakdown after the death of her aunt Adeline, an event that would become known as her first 'breakdown', marking a turning point in her life.

Died of cancer, Stella Stephen, Virginia Woolf's mother, leaving a lasting impact on her life and family dynamics. The loss would shape Virginia's perception of mortality and the fragility of human existence. Her relationship with her half-brothers George and Gerald Duckworth was also affected by this event, contributing to her struggles with mental health throughout her life. Stella's death marked the beginning of a long-standing struggle with depression that would define Virginia Woolf's life.

Thoby went to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became part of an intellectual circle that included Clive Bell, Lytton Strachey, Leonard Woolf, and Saxon Sydney-Turner. He was introduced to this circle at the Trinity May Ball in 1900.

Virginia Woolf visits Thoby Stephen's rooms at Trinity College, Cambridge during May Week, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship and influence on her artistic development.

Virginia Woolf took up book-binding as a pastime at the age of 19, marking an early interest in printing and publishing.

After her father's death, Adeline Virginia Stephen moved to Bloomsbury with her family, which marked a significant change in their lives.

Leslie Stephen died in February, leaving Virginia and her siblings to navigate their grief and adjust to life without him.

Virginia settled permanently at the Stephens' home in December, seeking a more stable living arrangement after her father's death.

After moving from South Kensington to Bloomsbury in search of a more affordable area, Virginia began her life in this new neighborhood, which would become an important part of her literary career.

Leonard Woolf leaves Britain for a civil service position in Ceylon, resulting in Virginia's prolonged periods of loneliness and creative growth in London.

Virginia Woolf's father died, leaving a profound impact on her life as she struggled with the loss of her parent at a young age.

Virginia Woolf visited Haworth and wrote an essay that was published on November 21st, showcasing her emerging literary talent.

On December 4th, Virginia Woolf's anonymous review of William Dean Howells' The Son of Royal Langbirth was published, marking a significant milestone in her career as a writer and critic.

At age 22, Virginia Woolf transitions from juvenilia to professional journalism, marking a significant turning point in her career.

Virginia Woolf is introduced to Kathleen Lyttelton, editor of the Women's Supplement of The Guardian, by Violet Dickinson, an encounter that would likely shape her future writing and intellectual pursuits.

The Stephens started hosting gatherings with intellectual friends, known as 'Thursday evenings', which became a regular social event for Virginia and other members of the circle.

During the autumn, Virginia was sent away to Cambridge and Yorkshire for her health, indicating that she struggled with ongoing health issues throughout her life.

Virginia voluntarily taught evening classes on a basis at Morley College for two years, demonstrating her dedication to education and sharing knowledge with others.

Following her father's death, Virginia experienced an alarming collapse that led to a period of treatment and hospitalization.

In the autumn of 1906, Virginia traveled to Greece and Turkey with Violet Dickinson, exploring new cultures and expanding her perspectives.

On November 20th, Thoby died of typhoid fever, a tragic loss that had a profound impact on Virginia's life and relationships.

Virginia Woolf was born into a non-religious family with prominent agnostic atheist parents, marking the beginning of her life-long exploration of spirituality and faith.

Two days after Thoby's death, Virginia married Clive Bell, forming a new partnership and beginning her life as a married woman.

Woolf began to develop a deeper understanding of her complex relationship with her mother, Julia Stephen, who had both nurtured and constrained her, laying the groundwork for later explorations in her writing.

Virginia was sent back to Burley House, a private nursing home for women with nervous disorders, after becoming increasingly restless at Moat House in Canterbury.

Virginia and Leonard Woolf reunite in Britain after one-year leave from Ceylon, strengthening their bond and paving the way for future collaboration.

Virginia moves to a larger house in Brunswick Square, inviting notable friends such as John Maynard Keynes, Duncan Grant, and Leonard Woolf to become lodgers.

Adeline Virginia Stephen married Leonard Woolf, and the couple began building a life together in London.

The Friday Club ended in either 1912 or 1913, marking the end of an important social circle that had played a significant role in Virginia's intellectual development.

Leonard proposes to Virginia during their time together in Britain, marking the beginning of their romantic relationship.

Virginia declares her love for Leonard on May 29th, solidifying their commitment to each other and their artistic partnership.

The couple gets married at St Pancras Town Hall on August 10th, forming a lifelong bond and a creative partnership that would shape Virginia's writing and legacy.

Large-scale alterations were made to Virginia's manuscript of The Voyage Out during the period from December 1912 to March 1913. These changes significantly impacted the final publication of the novel.

Woolf began to be influenced by Russian literature, marking the beginning of a significant shift in her aesthetic conventions and literary style.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's style helped shape Woolf's writing about the 'discontinuous writing process', but she objected to his right-wing politics and obsession with emotional extremes.

After being released from Burley House, Virginia sought opinions from two physicians and struggled with depression and insomnia, leading her to contemplate suicide due to the threat of further treatment.

Virginia Woolf experienced a severe breakdown in 1913, which led to her hospitalization and a re-evaluation of her mental health. This event was a turning point in her life, forcing her to confront the reality of her condition and seek help from multiple psychiatrists, including Maurice Craig. The experience would later influence her writing, particularly in her exploration of themes related to depression, anxiety, and the human psyche.

At twenty, Virginia Woolf thought of herself as an atheist, which would shape her views on religion and its impact on society for years to come.

In autumn 1914, Leonard and Virginia Woolf relocated to a house on Richmond Green, marking an important chapter in their life together.

In April 1914, Virginia Woolf was deemed not sufficiently psychotic to be certified or committed by psychiatrist Maurice Craig, despite experiencing recurring bouts of depression and psychosis. This decision would leave a lasting impact on her life, as she felt that she had been given a reprieve from the institution, but also a warning sign that she needed to take control of her mental health.

She published her first novel, The Voyage Out, through Gerald Duckworth and Company, marking an important milestone in her writing career.

On March 26, 1915, The Voyage Out was published after being delayed due to Virginia's illness. This marked a significant milestone for the couple's literary career.

Vanessa Bell takes possession of the Charleston Farmhouse as a summer home, providing a retreat for the family and a source of inspiration for Virginia's writing.

Due to medical grounds, Leonard Woolf was exempted from conscription in 1916, allowing him to continue his work as a publisher and writer.

Adeline Virginia Stephen founded the Hogarth Press with her husband Leonard Woolf, a publishing venture that would become synonymous with modernist literature.

The establishment of the Hogarth Press publishing house occurred in late March 1915, followed by its official launch in 1917. This marked a significant turning point in the Woolfs' literary careers.

The Woolfs obtained their hand-printing press, which marked the beginning of the Hogarth Press and Virginia's collaboration with Leonard in setting up the venture.

Virginia Woolf wrote an essay praising Henry David Thoreau for his statement on the importance of being awake and alive, demonstrating her interest in philosophical ideas and social commentary.

Woolf admired Anton Chekhov's stories of ordinary people living everyday lives, resonating with her own interest in realistic portrayals of human experience.

Virginia Woolf's sister Stella Stephen, who was also a close friend and confidante, died of meningitis at the age of 31. This loss further deepened Virginia's emotional pain and sense of isolation.

Her aunt, Caroline Stephen, converted to Quakerism and became a strong advocate for its peace testimony, influencing Virginia's own pacifist beliefs and values.

Woolf began work on a play based on an episode in Julia Margaret Cameron's life; the play was likely influenced by her interest in photography and the sea, which is a recurring theme in her writing. The project may have been inspired by Woolf's own privileged background and its impact on her perspective on class, as she navigated the complexities of social hierarchy during this time. As a member of the upper class, Woolf would have had access to exclusive educational opportunities and social connections that shaped her worldview.

Virginia Woolf moved to London and began her academic career at King's College London.

She published Mrs Dalloway, a novel that showcased her unique writing style and cemented her reputation as a leading literary figure.

Virginia Woolf wrote Mrs Dalloway in 1925, which features the character Septimus Warren Smith's struggles with depression, anxiety, and ultimately taking his own life. The novel explores themes related to mental illness, mortality, and the human condition, showcasing Virginia Woolf's ability to find meaning in her experiences and turn them into powerful works of art.

Woolf published an essay titled 'Pattledom', which likely reflects her unique use of language and style, including the semicolon, which resembles a wave. This distinctive feature has become a hallmark of her writing and is notable for its lyrical quality.

An edition of Julia Margaret Cameron's photographs was published with an introduction by Woolf; this collaboration highlights her connection to photography and the sea, which are recurring themes in her work. The introduction may have also showcased Woolf's self-awareness about her position within the social hierarchy, as she wrote about the lives of women like Julia Margaret Cameron.

Adeline Virginia Stephen released To the Lighthouse, another notable work that explored themes of family, identity, and social change.

Virginia Woolf published 'Time Passes', which was previously titled 'To the Lighthouse'. The novel was inspired by her earlier wishes for death, as well as her own experiences with grief and loss. This work marked a significant turning point in her writing career.

She published Orlando, a novel that blended elements of biography, fantasy, and romance to create a groundbreaking work of literature.

Woolf delivered influential talks at various colleges, including ODTAA Society at Girton College, Cambridge, and the Arts Society at Newnham College, inspiring young women to pursue their intellectual and artistic ambitions.

Adeline Virginia Stephen wrote A Room of One's Own, a powerful essay that advocated for women's education and independence.

Virginia Woolf published 'A Room of One's Own', a groundbreaking essay that explored the social and economic constraints faced by women writers. The book is considered a seminal work in feminist literature and continues to be widely read and studied today.

A Room of One's Own was published; this book-length essay is notable for its exploration of women's rights and education, which reflects Woolf's own experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society. The publication marked an important milestone in her writing career and solidified her reputation as a leading feminist thinker.

Woolf published A Room of One's Own, a groundbreaking nonfiction work that examined the challenges faced by female writers and intellectuals, sparking a national conversation about women's rights and education.

Nellie Boxall left the Woolfs' employ in 1934, marking an end to her service as their personal assistant.

Freshwater, a short drama written by Virginia Woolf, was produced at her sister Vanessa's studio in London. This event marked an important milestone in the development of Virginia's theatrical work and cemented her reputation as a versatile writer.

The play Freshwater was performed on January 18 at the studio of Vanessa Bell in London; this event highlights Woolf's relationships with other writers and artists, including her sister Vanessa. The performance may have showcased Woolf's unique style and perspective, which were likely influenced by her privileged background and experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society.

Virginia Woolf published 'The Years', a novel that explored themes of family, identity, and social change. The book is considered one of her most autobiographical works and offers a powerful portrait of life in the early 20th century.

At fifty-five, Virginia Woolf continued to express her anti-colonialist views, solidifying her stance against imperialism and its effects on marginalized communities.

Woolf released Three Guineas, another thought-provoking nonfiction work that explored the future of women in education and society, cementing her status as a leading voice on feminist issues.

During the rise of Hitler's rule, Virginia Woolf wrote 'The Duchess and the Jeweller', a work that would later be seen as a critique of fascism and anti-Semitism in literature.

Virginia Woolf began a residency at 37 Mecklenburgh Square in London, where she would spend the final years of her life. This event marked a significant shift in her personal and professional life, as she established herself as a prominent figure in literary circles.

After living in London for 15 years, Virginia Woolf returned to Rodmell, Sussex, marking the end of an era in her life.

She permanently settled in Sussex with her husband Leonard Woolf, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Virginia Woolf's home on Tavistock Square was destroyed during the Blitz, forcing her to relocate to Mecklenburgh Square. This event highlighted the devastating impact of war on civilians and underscored Virginia's own experiences with loss and displacement.

Woolf's relationship with her mother, Julia Stephen, reached a critical juncture, marking the end of her evolution in understanding their complex and ambivalent bond.

Adeline Virginia Stephen died on March 28th, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Virginia Woolf drowned herself in the River Ouse near her home on March 28th, ending a life marked by both creativity and struggle. Her death was not discovered until April 18th, and it came as a shock to her friends and family.