In a Strange Garden: The Life and Times of Truby King
Chronology of Truby King's life 1858-1938
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Chronology of Truby King's life 1858-1938
Age | Year | |
1858 | Truby King born on April Fool's Day in New Plymouth | |
2 | 1860 | Mother and five children sent to Nelson to escape land wars |
6 | 1864 | Brother Francis dies. Truby contracts pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis |
15 | 1873 | Truby begins work at the BNZ, New Plymouth, for his father |
16 | 1874 | Transfers to Auckland with the bank |
18 | 1876 | Moves to Wellington as private secretary to manager of the BNZ |
20 | 1878 | Appointed manager, BNZ, Masterton |
22 | 1880 | Leaves for London to commence medical studies at Edinburgh University |
26 | 1884 | Passes second professional exam with distinction, loses sight in left eye |
28 | 1886 | Graduates, winning Ettles Scholarship as top scholar |
29 | 1887 | Resident Surgeon, Glasgow Infirmary. Studies for BSc Marries Isabella Cockburn Millar, the landlady's daughter |
30 | 1888 | Returns to New Zealand. Commences work at Wellington Hospital |
31 | 1889 | Appointed Medical Superintendent, Seacliff asylum |
35 | 1893 | Truby's father dies, aged 72 |
36 | 1894 | Twelve months' leave to study brain pathology in London. Bella accompanies King |
38 | 1896 | Extended sick leave, goes back to Edinburgh |
39 | 1897 | Back to Seacliff, still unwell, spends winter in Queenslandpage 16 |
40 | 1898 | Begins building Karitane house |
43 | 1901 | Two 40-foot fishing boats commissioned for Karitane |
44 | 1902 | |
45 | 1903 | Buys Argyle gold dredge in Southland |
46 | 1904 | Six months in Japan on paid sick leave |
47 | 1905 | Mary King adopted by Truby and Bella |
47 | 1905 | The Feeding of Plants and Animals published |
48 | 1906 | The Evils of Cram published |
49 | 1907 | First newspaper article on infant welfare published First public meeting presaging the formation of Plunket King's Karitane house becomes prototype baby hospital Society for Health of Women and Children acquire house in Dunedin for hospital |
50 | 1908 | Plunket Society officially formed |
52 | 1910 | The Fisherman's Cottage and the Sailor's Cottage built at Puketeraki |
53 | 1911 | Farm at Tahakopa (Catlins) purchased Truby's mother dies, aged 93 |
54 | 1912 | Truby and Bella on the road preaching the Plunket message for 3 months |
55 | 1913 | To London with Bella and Mary, representing New Zealand at medical conference |
56 | 1914 | To London to speak at Education and Eugenics Conference |
58 | 1916 | Catlins piggery begins using whey from the dairy farm |
59 | 1917 | To London, summoned by Lady Plunket. Stays for 15 months |
60 | 1918 | Travels to USA, returns to London. With honorary rank, goes to Europe |
61 | 1919 | Represents British Empire at Red Cross conference in Cannes Returns via Australia, back to work at Seacliff |
62 | 1920 | Appointed Director of Child Welfare |
63 | 1921 | Leaves Seacliff after 32 years. Moves to Wellington. Bella's health failing. Mary, aged 16, starts two-year kindergarten trainingpage 17 |
63 | 1921 | Publishes booklet on evils of picture shows National tour with Bella, talking to maternity nurses and midwives |
64 | 1922 | Purchases 10 acres of land on hilltop at Melrose, overlooking Cook Strait Another trip to Australia |
65 | 1923 | Building of house begun at Melrose |
66 | 1924 | Bella's health fails, she is hospitalised Truby and Mary move into Melrose, Bella joins them later Begins ordering thousands of plants for the garden |
67 | 1925 | Truby King created Knight Bachelor Karitane hospital building commences on Melrose land |
69 | 1927 | Bella King dies. Truby heartbroken, never really recovers Karitane hospital opens Truby retires as Inspector-General of Mental Health, Director Child Welfare Truby goes to Australia |
70 | 1928 | Truby and Mary embark on European trip, returning via USA |
71 | 1929 | Truby opens Karitane Products factory in Sydney |
72 | 1930 | Conference in London is not a success, Truby's old magnetism is waning |
73 | 1931 | Falls ill in Sydney Rents out Melrose house, closes Sydney factory |
74 | 1932 | Mental state deteriorates. Committed but never hospitalised |
76 | 1934 | Confined to bed |
78 | 1936 | Permanent nursing support |
80 | 1938 | Sir Truby King passes away. Dies bankrupt. Buried with full State honours |