Birth of John Evelyn
John Evelyn is born at Wotton in Surrey.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
John Evelyn Biography and Timeline
Follow John Evelyn through 16 dated historical records for England.
John Evelyn, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
16Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1620–1706Years on this page
1620
1636
Middle Temple Admission
Evelyn is admitted to the Middle Temple.
1637
Balliol College Oxford
Evelyn matriculates at Balliol College, Oxford.
1640
Diary Begins
The sequence of notes and memoir material later known as Evelyn's Diary begins.
1641
Strafford Execution Recorded
Evelyn records the solemn public execution on Tower Hill.
Witnesses Strafford's Execution
Evelyn witnesses Strafford's execution and records the event in his diary.
1643
Continental Travels
Evelyn begins extended travel through France, Italy and Switzerland.
Role range: 1643-1647
1652
Return to England
Evelyn returns to England after several years abroad.
1663
Fellow of the Royal Society
Evelyn is elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
1664
Sylva Published
Evelyn publishes Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber.
1671
Council for Foreign Plantations
Evelyn serves on the Council for Foreign Plantations.
1682
Green Belt
Publication of "Sylva", proposes building gardens in London & a green belt
London Parks
Publication of "Sylva", proposes building gardens in London & a green belt
Sylva", proposes building gardens in London and a green belt
Publication of "Sylva", proposes building gardens in London & a green belt
Sylva
Publication of "Sylva", proposes building gardens in London & a green belt
1706
Death of John Evelyn
John Evelyn dies in London.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.