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At birth
Born at age 70. "Wrapped in a voluminous white blanket, and partially crammed into one of the cribs, there sat an old man apparently about seventy years of age." (62) -
At age 5
Benjamin reluctantly learns shapes in kindergarden. He is unamused and naps constantly during school. "He was inclined to drowse off to sleep in the middle of these tasks, a habit which both irritated and frightened his young teacher. To his relief, she complained to his parents and he was removed from the school." (68) -
At age 12
During his 12th birthday party, Benjamin looks in a mirror and discovers that his wrinkles are slowly fading away. It is then that he discovers that he is aging backwards. He then demands long trousers: "I am grown . . . . I want to put on trousers." (68) -
At age 18
Benjamin applies for Yale College, but is turned down on account of his condition. They think he is a loon because he appears to be fifty years of age: "Get out of college and get out of town. You are a dangerous lunatic." (70) -
At age 20
Benjamin starts to work with his father at the family hardware store. It is there where he falls in love with Miss Hildegarde: "When, six months later, the engagement of Miss Hildegarde Moncrief to Mr. Benjamin Button was made known . . . the excitement in Baltimore society reached a feverish pitch." (73) -
At age 38
Benjamin, rejuvinated with youth, has ceased to be attracted Hildegarde, so he dcides to join the army at the start of the Spanish-American War. " . . . . he was made a major, and finallly a lieutenant-colonel just in time to participate in the celebrated charge up San Juan Hill." (76) -
At age 50
Benjamin goes to Harvard (he appears to be in his twenties) and plays football. His sole purpose while on the football team is to humiliate Yale College: " . . . . his success was largely due to the fact that in the football game with Yale he played so brilliantly, with so much dash and with such a cold, remorseless anger that he scored seven touchdowns and fourteen field goals for Harvard, and caused one entire eleven of Yale men to be carried singly from the field, unconscious." (78) -
At age 54
Benjamin recieves a letter from the United States government that asks him, as as veteran of the Spanish-American War, to serve as general in the Great War. However, when he show's up, they think he is a child and mock him. "The colonel turned and began walking his horse in the direction of headquarters. There was nothing for Benjamin to do but follow with as much dignity as possible - meanwhile promising himself a stern revenge." (81) -
At age 70
Benjamin, now appearing to be a toddler or baby, lives with his son Roscoe and his son, Benjamin's grandson. He is taken care of by his nurse, Nana. Benjamin stays in kindergarden for a few years, while Roscoe's son moved up to the first grade. Nana takes very good care of him during the last days of his life: "He did not remember. He did not remember clearly whether the milk was warm or cool at his last feding or how the days passed - there was only his crib and Nana's familiar presence." (83)