- 1856 – Born in Calcutta
- Educated Royal High School, Edinburgh
- 1874 – University of Edinburgh M.A.
- 1874 – D.D.
- 1880 – Taught at the Free Church College, Aberdeen
- 1883 – LLD.
- 1881 – Temporary teacher of Old Testament, Aberdeen Free Church College
- 1882 – Ordained and Inducted to Queen’s Cross Free Church, Aberdeen
- 1892 – Appointed Professor of Old Testament, Glasgow Free Church College
- 1909 – Appointed Principal and Vice Chancellor Aberdeen University
- 1916 – Knighted
- 1916 – Moderator of the United Free Church General Assembly
- 1933 – Chaplain to the King in Scotland
- 1942 – Died