DOB Unknown. Born to nobility in the Mearns (Kincardineshire)

Studies at Paris

Studies at the University of Béam, Navarre

Studies at the Jesuit University of Pont-à-Mousson, Lorraine

Visits the Scots College in Rome

Returns to Scotland, where his family had converted to Protestantism. He is accused of treason and flees to the continent

Teaches at the Collège du Mans, Paris

Publishes works of poetry, including elegy and epigram

Leaves Paris for Constantinople, travelling on to Syria, Lebanon, and the Holy Land. His journey was documented in Pietro della Vale’s Viaggi (1650). Learns Arabic and Persian through his travels and collects multiple manuscripts, the majority of which are now preserved at the libraries of Naples and The Vatican

Serves as physician to Emir Feyyad, who ruled the lands between Syria and the Euphrates. He marries Feyyad’s widowed sister-in-law

Leaves for Baghdad

Works for the East India Company

Tutor in Arabic to the Carmelites of Estahan

Makes a will leaving his book collection to the Discalced Carmelites of Rome