von Dittersdorf was born simply Johann Carl Ditters on 2 November 1739 in Vienna. As clearly demonstrated by Michael Lorenz through archival research in Vienna, Johann Carl (Johannes Carolus) was the real baptismal name; evidently August Carl was a later modification of Ditters's first name.      As demostrated again by Michael Lorenz, Ditters's father was a silk embroiderer (apparently of moderate financial position), not a military tailor, apparently a profession chosen by Ditters to help his process of ennoblement (it seems that it was a common habit of those who asked to become nobles).
		(1745-1750) At the age of 6, Ditters started studying violin, showing great ability. In 1750 his teacher Ziegler gives him the position of violinist in the orchestra of the Benedictine church on the Freyung.
		(1751-1761) Ditters enters the Court Orchestra of Prince Joseph of Saxe-Hildburghausen, who is going also to be one of the patrons of young Haydn. Ditters studies violin with F.Trani, becoming a soloist virtuoso, and then composition with G.Bonno.
		(1761-1764) Disbanded the previous orchestra, Ditters is hired by the Austrian Empress and then by Count Durazzo for the Imperial Theatre Orchestra, as violinist. In 1762 he becomes the conductor of the Imperial Theatre Orchestra.
		(1763-1764) Ditters travels to Bologna in Italy with Gluck. There he meets also Farinelli. In 1764 he travels to Paris. For unknown reasons, probably the relationship with Gluck deteriorates and, when back in Vienna in 1764, Ditters is dismissed from his position.
		(1765-1769) Already close friend of J.Haydn, in 1765 Ditters becomes the successor of Haydn's brother, Michael, in Grosswardein, while Michael reaches Salzburg and becomes friend of the Mozarts.
		(1770-1794) Ditters is hired by the Prince-Bishop of Breslau, Philipp Gotthard von Schaffgotsch. He works now in Johannesberg, as Hofkomponist and then also as Amtshauptmann (Governor) of Freiwaldau (1773). In 1771 Ditters marries the opera singer Nicolina Trink.
		(1773) Ditters officially becomes Baron von Dittersdorf, in order to better carry on his role of Governor of Freiwaldau. In 1774 so he refuses the position of Vienna Imperial Court Composer and Bonno and Salieri instead receive the main music positions at Court, soon after the death of Gassmann. He becomes famous for his numerous operas and Singspiels.
		(1784-1787) Thanks to various travels to Vienna, he regularly attends social events with his friends J. Haydn, W.A.Mozart and J.B.Vanhal, who is also his own pupil in composition. In this period he writes some of his masterpieces: the oratorio Giob and the (probably 15) Symphonies after Ovid.
		(1794) After a clash with the Prince-Bishop von Schaffgotsch, he is dismissed. His health is in bad condition.
		(1795) Financially ruined, Ditters with his wife and his children moves to the Castle Rothlhotta at Neuhof in Bohemia, thanks to the friendship of Baron Ignaz von Stillfried.
		In his final year Ditters tries to improve the financial situation of his family, by writing an Autobiography dictated to his son. 3 days after having completed it, Ditters dies. His Autobiography will be published in 1801.