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1950s to Dylan's deathThe early 1950s, including Dylan's final tour of America Cartoon of Dylan Thomas by Ralph Steadman 1950 January: Twenty-five Poems published by J M Dent & Sons Ltd in a limited signed edition of 150 copies
February 20: Dylan flies to New York to begin his first tour of the United States organised by John Malcolm Brinnin February 23: Dylan's first reading, at the Kaufmann Auditorium, New York June 1: Dylan returns to Britain on board the Queen Elizabeth having given at least 39 readings and lectures all over the USA and Canada September: Margaret Taylor goes down to Laugharne to tell Caitlin that Dylan has an American mistress, Pearl Kazin, and that she has arrived in London. This provokes the first great crisis in their marriage 1951 January / February: Dylan visits Persia to write a film script for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company; Caitlin writes to him suggesting that the marriage is over February: Dylan and Caitlin are reconciled July: John Malcolm Brinnin, Dylan's American agent, and the photographer Rollie McKenna stay with Dylan and Caitlin in Laugharne and discuss the possibility of another American trip. Summer / Autumn: Dylan writes 'Lament', 'Poem on His Birthday', 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night', 'Prologue' and half of Under Milk Wood in Laugharne.
Margaret Taylor acquires 54 Delancey Street, Camden Town, so that the Thomases will have a London home as well as their home in Laugharne. 1952 January 20: Dylan and Caitlin depart for the United States on board the Queen Mary (this second US tour lasts until 16 May) February 22: Dylan records his first selection of poems for Caedmon Records February 28: 'In Country Sleep' published in the United States in a limited signed edition of 100 copies followed by a trade edition
November 10: Collected Poems 1934-1952 published in Britain by J M Dent & Sons Ltd. Limited signed edition of 65 copies and also trade edition
December 16: D J Thomas dies in Laugharne aged 76. He is buried in Pontypridd alongside his brother Arthur after a non-religious ceremony
April 16: Dylan's sister Nancy dies of cancer in Bombay April 21: Dylan leaves for New York to begin his third American tour, and during this tour begins his affair with Liz Reitell May 14: The Doctor and the Devils - the first of the film scripts - is published by J M Dent & Sons Ltd. May 14: First stage performance of Under Milk Wood in New York with Dylan narrating (recorded by Caedmon)
June 2: Dylan records again for Caedmon June 3: Dylan returns to London August 10: Dylan makes his first and only TV appearance for the BBC reading his story 'The Outing'. Footage of this has never been recovered.
October 19: Dylan leaves for New York to begin his fourth and final American tour October 29: Dylan's last public engagement - a lunchtime reading at the City College of New York November 5: Dylan collapses at the Chelsea Hotel, New York November 9: Dylan dies at St Vincent's Hospital and Caitlin brings his body back to Laugharne
25 November: Dylan's funeral at Laugharne. A few weeks after the funeral Caitlin leaves Laugharne for Elba, Italy. 25 January 1954: First BBC Broadcast of Under Milk Wood, with Richard Burton starring as First Voice May 1954: First publication of Under Milk Wood in book form: 13,000 copies were sold in the first month and over 53,000 in the first year May 1957: Caitlin's first memoir, Leftover Life to Kill, published October 1957: Caitlin meets an attractive Scillian eleven years her junior, Giuseppe Fazio, who works in the Italian film industry. They settle in Catania August 1958: Dylan's mother, Florence, dies in Laugharne March 1963: at the age of 49, Caitlin gives birth to her fourth child, Francesco Fazio 1982: Plaque to Dylan unveiled in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey 1994: Caitlin dies and is buried in Laugharne with Dylan. 1995: Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, opens 1997: Double Drink Story, Caitlin's reworked memoirs, published posthumously 1998: First Dylan Thomas Celebration, Swansea. 2000: Death of Dylan's eldest son Llewelyn |
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1950s to Dylan's death