| Timeline |
| 1759 |
Born 25 January at Alloway, near Ayr |
| 1763 |
Attends John Murdoch's school at Alloway |
| 1768 |
Leaves school |
| 1771 |
In Lochlea, learning the trade of flax-dressing |
| 1773 |
Briefly attends Ayr Grammar School |
| 1780 |
Helps found the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club (a debating club) |
| 1781 |
Becomes a Freemason |
| 1784 |
Father dies, Robert rents a farm with his brother |
| 1786 |
Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect published |
| 1787 |
Edits and contributes to The Scots Musical Museum |
| 1787 |
Enlarged edition of his poems is published, takes the farm of Ellisland in Dumfriesshire |
| 1788 |
Marries Jean Armour |
| 1790 |
Tam o' Shanter published |
| 1791 |
Abandons Ellisland and moves to Dumfries, takes position in the Excise |
| 1796 |
Dies 21 July of rheumatic fever |
