An Incomplete Timeline of White Racial Identity

The first record found of people being described as “White” occurs around 1550-1600, when the word “White” emerged as a niche term to denote selected upper-class English women. It is not until the late 17th century that the term begins to be associated with ancient Greco-Roman peoples—1,300 years after the Roman empire fell. 

“An incomplete timeline of White racial identity” is an online tool charting the emergence and evolution of Whiteness over time. While there are several online timelines that look at Black or Indigenous history in North America, this timeline is aimed at providing greater understanding about the invention of White racial identity and what circumstances have helped shape its understanding today. We hope this tool is of use for people seeking a greater understanding of Whiteness and its place in each of our lives, while recognizing that all people are individuals and cannot be reduced to the shifting racial categories that have been applied to them over time.  

The timeline was created in conjunction with the touring exhibition, Conceptions of White, and is co-produced by the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the Art Museum at the University of Toronto.  

Do you have a suggestion, opinion, correction, or further research? Public input is welcomed through the “make a suggestion” feature on the page.