Timeline

1890

Born in Widewater, VA (his name was Peyton Cole Hedgeman)

1912

Moves to Washington, DC

1914

Joins the U.S. Army, gets art lessons from his superior officer (second lieutenant Arthur Boetscher)

Changes his name to Palmer Hayden

1919

Re-enlists in the Army and is assigned to West Point (not as a cadet)

1923

Takes drawing classes at Columbia University

1924

Goes to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and works in an art colony there as a laborer in exchange for art lessons

1926

Wins first prize at the first-ever Harmon Foundation Awards for Distinguished Achievement Among Negroes

1927

Departs for Paris, France

1932

Returns to the U.S. from France

1933

Becomes a WPA artist

1936

Returns to Paris, France

1937

Returns to the U.S. from France

1940

Marries Miriam Hoffman

1944

Begins the John Henry series of twelve paintings

1973

Dies in New York City