1772 – He was apprenticed to the jeweller James Gilliland but began painting water-colour miniatures of his friends.

1778 – He married a wealthy widow of independent means, whose dowry permitted him to devote himself entirely to painting.

1784 – He travelled to London where he met Sir Joshua Reynolds whose style was to exert a great influence upon him.

1787 – He returned to Edinburgh, and began a successful career as a portrait-painter. In that year he executed a seated portrait of the second Lord President Dundas.

1812 – He was elected president of the Society of Artists in Edinburgh.

1814 – Associate, and in the following year full member of the Royal Scottish Academy.

1815 – His reputation spread beyond Edinburgh and he became a member of the Royal Academy.

1822 – He was knighted by George IV and appointed His Majesty’s limner for Scotland.

1823 – He died at Edinburgh on the 8th of July.