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Birth
August Wilson is born as Frederick August Kittel Jr. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. -
home life
His mother remarries David Bedford, and the family moves to a predominantly white neighborhood, where they face racism. -
high school
Wilson experiences racism at Central Catholic High School and later drops out of multiple schools before educating himself at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. -
name change
At age 17, he officially changes his name to August Wilson to honor his mother. -
army time
Joins the U.S. Army but leaves after one year. -
Co founder of Black horizon theater
Co-founds the Black Horizon Theater in Pittsburgh with Rob Penny. -
beginning of playrights
Moves to St. Paul, Minnesota, to write plays for the Science Museum of Minnesota. -
rise of fame
– Moves to Seattle, Washington, where he writes many of his famous works. -
famous playwright
His play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is accepted for development at the National Playwrights Conference. -
breakthrew
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom premieres on Broadway, marking his breakthrough as a playwright. -
awards
Fences wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. -
awards
The Piano Lesson wins Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize for Drama. -
awards
Seven Guitars is nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. -
premimres
King Hedley II premieres in Pittsburgh before moving to Broadway. -
liver cancer
Wilson announces he has been diagnosed with liver cancer. -
death
Wilson dies at age 60 in Seattle, Washington. -
honoring august wilson
The Virginia Theatre on Broadway is renamed the August Wilson Theatre in his honor. -
after
– The film adaptation of Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, is released, winning an Academy Award for Davis.