| Timeline |
| 1676 |
Born in Malcombe Regis |
| 1689 |
Apprenticed to Thomas Highmore |
| 1704 |
Becomes a Freeman of the Painter-Stainers’ Company of London |
| 1711 |
Is elected one of the 12 original directors of Sir Godfrey Kneller’s academy at Great Queen Street |
| 1716 |
Succeeds Kneller as Governor of the academy |
| 1718 |
Appointed History Painter to George I |
| 1718 |
Opens free art academy |
| 1720 |
Appointed Serjeant-Painter |
| 1722 |
Elected Member of Parliament |
| 1722 |
Knighted |
| 1725 |
Buys back his families ancestral estate (just to the south of Stalbridge) and there he builds Thornhill House |
| 1727 |
His daughter Jane marries William Hogarth |
| 1734 |
Dies 13 May in Weymonth |
