| DATE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| 1853 | Born July 5 in Bishops Stortford, England. |
| 1870 | Moves to Natal, South Africa, for his health; becomes a diamond prospector, acquiring a fortune. |
| 1873 | Begins a degree at the University of Oxford. |
| 1881 | Enters the Cape Colony Parliament. |
| 1885 | Aids the annexation of Bechuanaland (now Botswana) to the British Empire. |
| 1888 | Founds De Beers Consolidated Mines, monopolizing diamond production in Kimberley. |
| 1889 | Gains charter to develop Matabeleland. |
| 1890 | Becomes Prime Minister of Cape Colony. |
| 1895 | Plots to overthrow the South African Republic. |
| 1896 | Fails in plot and is forced to resign his premiership. |
| 1899-1902 | Defends Kimberley in South African Wars (Boer Wars). |
| 1902 | Dies March 26. |
