1810 - is heard reciting multiplication tables aged almost six, having only attended school for six weeks. 1812 - set sail for England with his father, Abia. 1815 - moved to France where he learnt the language in a few months. 1816 - unable to fund his education in France, Abia returned with him to England. 1822 - started his own school which proved unsuccessful. 1823 - made calculations for the Board of Longitude under Dr. Thomas Young. 1824 - returned to America following the death of his father. 1835 - appointed Professor of Latin, Greek, French and Spanish languages and English Classical Literature at Norwich University, in Northfield, Vermont. Uncle of Zerah Colburn (1832-1870), locomotive engineer.