Major Events in Kate Chopin's Life

  • Birthday

    Birthday
    Born on February 8, 1850 to Eliza Faris O'Flaherty and Captain Thomas O'Flaherty. Third of five children.
  • School

    School
    Enters St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart.
  • Father

    Father is killed in train accident.
  • Confirmation

    Confirmation
    She was confirmed in the Catholic Church by Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick.
  • Half-Brother

    Half-brother George dies of typhoid fever on Mardi Gras day.
  • Grandmother

    Kate's grandmother died three days before Christmas in 1863.
  • Graduation

    Graduation
    Graduates from Sacred Heart Academy.
  • First Story

    Writes her first story, "Emancipation: A Life Fable," a short story about freedom and restriction.
  • Husband

    Marries Oscar Chopin and moves to New Orleans.
  • Oscar

    Oscar
    Oscar dies of malaria, leaving Kate with a heavy debt and six young boys.
  • Mother

    Her mother dies.
  • First Poem

    Publishes her first poem, "If It Might Be," in America.
  • Awakening

    Starts writing The Awakening.
  • Awakening Published

    Awakening Published
    The Awakening published by Herbert S. Stone and Company on April 22.
  • Wood Chopper

    Writes and publishes the story, "The Wood-Choppers."
  • Polly

    Publishes her last story, "Polly"
  • Death

    Death
    Dies from a cerebral hemorrhage on August 22, after collapsing at the World's Fair, two days before at age 54.