Chronology
1859
Peter Altenberg is born Richard Engländer into a middle class family in Vienna on March 8
1878
Receives his Matura from the Theresianum on his second attempt and studies law at the University of Vienna in accordance to his father’s wishes.
1879
Switches to medicine, which he suddenly abandons in order to start an apprenticeship as bookseller in Stuttgart
1880
Returns to Austria and continues his law studies at Graz
1882
Due to a nervous condition, Altenberg is termed unfit for work by a physician
1886
Moves away from his family into his own place, beginning of his lifelong restlessness
1890-94
Frequent visitor of Café Griensteidl
1896
Publishes Wie ich es sehe, which is received favorably
1898-99
Theater critic for Extrapost
1900
Leaves the mosaic church and converts to Catholicism
1902-03
Moves into the Hotel London
1905
Altenberg’s brother goes bankrupt, Altenberg loses his monthly stipend, receives support from his fellow writers
1906
Publishes Prodromos
1908
Launches a huge fundraising campaign for his 50th birthday
1909
Suffers from depression and hypochondria, is committed to the Fango Institute in Vienna
1910-11
Spends twelve months at the asylum Inzersdorf due to a severe mental crisis
1912-13
Is committed to the Nervenheilanstalt Am Steinhof in Vienna, world premiere of Alban Berg’s Fünf Orchesterlieder nach Ansichtskarten von Peter Altenberg op.4, the performance ends prematurely
1919
Dies of pneumonia on January 6 in Vienna