1751 - started studying under portraitist Thomas Hudson. 1768 - exhibited An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump and subsequently labelled 'Wright of Derby' by Gazetteer's exhibition reviewer. 1768 to 1771 - moved to Liverpool. 1773 - moved to Italy to study. 1775 - returned to Derby. 1781 - elected associate with Royal Academy. 1785 - staged a one-man exhibition at Mr Robins the auctioneer's rooms in Covent Garden.