1923
Born June 23 in San Mateo, California
1941 – 1943
Studies Botanics, Medicine and Psychology
1943 - 1945
A plane accident during Army Air Corps flight training as well as progressing illness hospitalizes him for years. Begins painting during this period
1948 – 1950
Studies Painting with Mark Rothko and Clyfford Still
1950 - 1958
Lives and works primarily in Paris and the south of France
1952
First Solo exhibition in Paris
1956
Takes part in the exhibition "12 Americans" at the Museum of Modern Art, New York
1958
Solo exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka
1963
Takes part in the 32th Biennal in Venice
1968
Receives a Honorary Doctorate from the University of Californa, Berkeley
1970
Begins to look into "Action-Painting"
1983
Receives the order of "Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" from France
1992
Assignment of the German Bundestag to create a wall-painting
1994
Sam Francis dies November 24 in Santa Monica