| 1909 |
November 26 |
Eugène Ionesco is born in Slatina, Romania. |
| 1910 |
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His family moves to Paris, France. |
| 1916 |
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His father returns to Bucharest as Romania enters World War I. Eugène remains in France with his mother and sister. |
| 1925 |
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He returns to Romania with his father after his parents divorce. |
| 1928 |
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He begins studying French literature at the University of Bucharest. |
| 1930 |
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Ionesco publishes his first article in the Zodiac review. |
| 1931 |
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He publishes a volume of poetry, Elegy of Minuscule Beings. |
| 1934 |
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He publishes No, a collection of essays. |
| 1936 |
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His mother dies. |
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July |
He marries Rodica Burileanu, a student of law and philosophy. |
| 1937 |
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He begins teaching French at a school in Bucharest. |
| 1938 |
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He receives a fellowship from the Rumanian government to write a thesis on the subject of death in Modern French Poetry. |
| 1939 |
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He moves to Paris and begins his literary research. |
| 1940 |
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He relocates to Marseilles when the Germans invade. |
| 1944 |
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Ionesco's daughter Marie-France is born. He will later write a number of unconventional children's stories for her. |
| 1945 |
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He returns to Paris after its liberation from the Germans. |
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He works as a proofreader and translator. |
| 1948 |
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His father dies. |
| 1950 |
May 11 |
The Bald Soprano premieres at the Theatre des Noctambules in Paris. |
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Ionesco joins the "College of Pataphysics," a group of avant-garde writers and artists. |
| 1951 |
February 20 |
The Lesson premieres at the Théâtre de Poche. |
| 1952 |
April 22 |
The Chairs premieres at the Théâtre Lancry under the direction of Sylvain Dhomme who also plays the role of the Orator. |
| 1955 |
October |
Jack or The Submission premieres at the Théâtre de la Huchette. |
| 1958 |
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Ionesco conducts a now-famous public debate with Kenneth Tynan in the pages of London's Observer over the value of anti-realism in the theatre. |
| 1959 |
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He receives the Tours Festival Prize for film. |
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February 27 |
The Killer premieres at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris. |
| 1960 |
January 25 |
Rhinoceros premieres at the Odéon under the direction of Jean-Louis Barrault. |
| 1962 |
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Ionesco publishes Notes and Counternotes, a collection of essays and lectures. |
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December 15 |
Exit the King premieres at the Théâtre de l'Alliance Francaise in Paris. |
| 1963 |
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Ionesco receives the Prix Italia. |
| 1966 |
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He receives the Society of Authors theatre prize. |
| 1967 |
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He publishes Fragments of a Journal. |
| 1968 |
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He publishes the second volume of his journal, Present Past Past Present. |
| 1969 |
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He receives the Grand Prix National for theatre. |
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He receives the Monaco Grand Prix. |
| 1970 |
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He receives the Austrian State Prize for European Literature. |
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He is made a member of the Académie française. |
| 1972 |
January 27 |
Macbett premieres at the Théâtre de la Rive Gauche in Paris. |
| 1973 |
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Ionesco receives the Jerusalem Prize. |
| 1976 |
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He is awarded the Max Reinhardt Medal at the 50th Salzburg Festival. |
| 1994 |
March 28 |
Eugène Ionesco dies in Paris, France at the age of 84. |
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Browse Eugène Ionesco Quotes |
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Browse Eugène Ionesco Trivia |
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Browse Eugène Ionesco: Essential Reading List |
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Browse Rhinoceros Study Questions |
