- 1755 – Born in Utrecht on the 7th January. Father Rev William Brown, Mother Janet Ogilvy
- Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and St Andrew’s University
- 1772 – Gained M.A. Degree at Utrecht
- 1777 – Licensed by Presbytery of St. Andrews
- 1777 – Ordained by that Presbytery to the Scots Congregation at Utricht
- 1778 – Minister to the Scots Congregation, Utrecht
- 1778 – Professor of Moral Philosophy and Law of Nations in University of Utrecht
- 1780 – Rector of University of Utrecht
- 1784 – Gained Doctor of Divinity at St. Andrews
- 1784 – Gained Doctor of Divinity at Utrecht
- Declined Chair of Greek at St Andrews University
- 1795 – Fled to Scotland because of threatened invasion by French
- 1795 – Minister at Greyfriars Aberdeen and Professor of Divinity, Marischal College
- 1796 – Principal of Marischal College, still retained the above appointments
- 1800 – Appointed one of the Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the King in Scotland
- 1803 – Dean of the Thistle and Chapel Royal
- 1824 – Appointed 13th Patron to the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen
- 1830 – Died
There is a Memorial Tablet to him in the West Kirk of St Nicholas.