Childhood and Education Journey of Neil Gaiman in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Neil Gaiman. From birth to education, explore key events.

Neil Gaiman is a prolific English author known for his diverse body of work spanning short fiction, novels, comic books, audio theatre, and screenplays. He gained prominence with the comic series *The Sandman* and authored acclaimed novels such as *Good Omens* (co-written), *Stardust*, *American Gods*, *Coraline*, *Anansi Boys*, *The Graveyard Book*, and *The Ocean at the End of the Lane*. Gaiman has also been involved in the television adaptations of *Good Omens* and *The Sandman*, further solidifying his impact on popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1914: Gaiman's great-grandfather emigrated to England

Before 1914, Neil Gaiman's great-grandfather emigrated to England from Antwerp, marking a significant point in the family's history.

1956: Narnia concluding volume wins Carnegie Medal

In 1956, the concluding volume of C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia won the Carnegie Medal. This introduced Gaiman to literary awards.

November 1960: Neil Gaiman Born

In November 1960, Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman was born. He is an English author known for short fiction, novels, comic books, and screenplays.

Others born on this day/year

1965: Gaiman moved to East Grinstead

In 1965, Neil Gaiman moved to East Grinstead and lived there until 1980.

1970: Gaiman attended Ardingly College

From 1970 to 1974, Neil Gaiman was educated at Ardingly College.

1974: Gaiman attended Whitgift School

From 1974 to 1977, Neil Gaiman attended Whitgift School in Croydon.

1977: Gaiman left Whitgift School

In 1977, Neil Gaiman's education at Whitgift School in Croydon came to an end.

1980: Gaiman left East Grinstead

In 1980, Neil Gaiman moved out of East Grinstead, where he had lived since 1965.

1984: Gaiman returned to East Grinstead

In 1984, Neil Gaiman returned to East Grinstead.

1984: Gaiman discovered Swamp Thing

In 1984, while at London's Victoria Station, Neil Gaiman read a copy of Swamp Thing by Alan Moore, which inspired him to buy comics regularly.

The Saga of the Swamp Thing

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1987: Gaiman left East Grinstead again

In 1987, Neil Gaiman left East Grinstead again, after returning in 1984.

1992: Gaiman moved near Menomonie, Wisconsin

In 1992, Neil Gaiman relocated near Menomonie, Wisconsin, to be closer to the family of his then-wife, Mary McGrath.

February 2001: Gaiman's publishers set up a promotional website featuring a weblog

In February 2001, after Neil Gaiman finished writing American Gods, his publishers launched a promotional website featuring a weblog where he described the process of revising, publishing, and promoting the novel. This later evolved into the Official Neil Gaiman Website.

American Gods: A Novel

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2008: Gaiman joined Twitter

In 2008, Neil Gaiman joined Twitter.

2011: Gaiman and Palmer married

In 2011, Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer got married.

2015: Death of Terry Pratchett

In 2015, Terry Pratchett, who was a close friend of Neil Gaiman, passed away.

March 2020: Gaiman and Palmer moved to New Zealand; Gaiman left the country

In March 2020, Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer, and their son moved to New Zealand. Weeks later, Gaiman left the country for his holiday home on the Isle of Skye, breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules, which resulted in criticism and an apology from Gaiman.

2021: Gaiman and Palmer reconciled

In 2021, Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer briefly reconciled after having separated in 2020.

November 2022: Gaiman and Palmer announced they would divorce

In November 2022, Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer released a joint statement confirming they would divorce.

2022: Gaiman supported Ukraine during Russian invasion

In 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Neil Gaiman expressed his support for Ukraine by announcing on Twitter that he would not renew contracts with Russian publishers and encouraged donations to Ukrainian refugees.

2023: Gaiman signed open letter calling for Alexei Navalny's release

In 2023, Neil Gaiman, along with over 100 other public figures, signed an open letter addressed to Russian president Vladimir Putin, calling for the release of Russian prisoner Alexei Navalny.