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| 1795 | Born in Ecclefechan, Scotland, of poor Calvinists who teach him frugality and discipline. He is the oldest of nine children. His father, recognizing Thomas's unusual ability, gives him a good education. |
| 1809 | Finishes Annan Grammar School, then walks ninety miles to enter Edinburgh University, where he plans to prepare for the ministry. |
| 1814 | Leaves Edinburgh University without a degree. Teaches mathematics at Annan Academy and other grammar schools. Devours German literature and philosophy. |
| 1818-1822 | Undergoes spiritual crisis. Abandoning the Christian faith, he converts to believe in a secular order to the universe. |
| 1823-1824 | His first important work, "The Life of Schiller," appears in the London Magazine. |
| 1824 | His translation of Goethe's Wilhelm Meister appears in the London Magazine. |
| 1826 | Marries Jane Baillie Welsh, the popular daughter of a doctor. |
| 1828 | Moves to a farm at Craigenputtock to econimize; continues writing for periodicals. |
| 1829 | Publishes "Signs of the Times" in the Edinburgh Review, assessing the spirit of the age. |
| 1831 | Writes Sartor Resartus, his spiritual autobiography, but cannot find a publisher. A unique work, combining novel, essay and autobiography, it is partially published in Fraser's Magazine. Publishes "Characteristics" in the Edinburgh Review. Meets John Stuart Mill, the intellectual and essayist who refined Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism. |
| 1832 | Ralph Waldo Emerson visits Carlyle at Craigenputtock. |
| 1834 | Moves to London; begins work on The French Revolution |
| 1835 | Completes first volume of The French Revolution and lends the manuscript to John Stuart Mill to read. Unfortunately, Mill's servant uses it to kindle a fire, destroying the work and all the notes. |
| 1836 | Emerson arranges the American publication of Sartor Resartus. |
| 1837 | Completes and publishes both volumes of The French Revolution. |
| 1838 | Publishes Sartor Resartus in England. |
| 1840-1847 | Delivers a series of important lectures, among them "Heroes and Hero Worship" (1840), "Chartism" (1840), and "Past and Present" (1843). |
| 1845 | Publishes his edition of The Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell. |
| 1850 | Publishes Latter Day Pamphlets. |
| 1858-1865 | Writes The History of Friedrich II of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great. |
| 1866 | Returns to Scotland to deliver the inaugural address as lord rector of Edinburgh University. His wife dies, wherupon Carlyle finds and edits her diary. He grieves; he goes on to write very little. |
| 1874 | Accepts the Prussian Order of Merit from Bismarck, but refuses an English baronetcy from Disraeli. |
| 1881 | Dies and is buried near his family in Ecclefechan churchyard. |
Based in part upon McGraw-Hill, pp. 135-136
Victorian web: http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/carlyle/carlyletl.html