| 1905: | Born February 2 in St. Petersburg, Russia. |
| 1918: | Family leaves Petrograd for Crimea. |
| 1921: | Graduates from Gymnasium; Returns to Petrograd; Enters the University. |
| 1924: | Graduates from University of St. Petersburg; Enrolls in State Institute for Cinema Arts. |
| 1925: | Studies English; Travels to Latvia to obtain U.S. visa. |
| 1926: | Leaves Russia; Arrives in New York City; Moves to Hollywood. |
| 1929: | Marries Frank O'Connor April 15 in L.A.. |
| 1931: | Becomes naturalized citizen of the U.S. March 13. |
| 1936: | We the Living published. |
| 1938: | Anthem published in England only. |
| 1939: | We the Living dramatized by George Abbott for Broadway. |
| 1943: | The Fountainhead published. |
| 1945: | Anthem published in U.S.. |
| 1949: | The Fountainhead movie released. |
| 1951: | Returns to New York City. |
| 1957: | Atlas Shrugged published. |
| 1961: | For the New Intellectual published. |
| 1962: | Starts The Objectivist Newsletter. |
| 1964: | The Virtue of Selfishness published. |
| 1966: | Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal published; The Objectivist replaces the The Objectivist Newsletter. |
| 1970: | The Romantic Manifesto published. |
| 1971: | The New Left: The Anti-Industrial Revolution published; The Ayn Rand Letter replaces The Objectivist. |
| 1974: | Delivers "Philosophy: Who Needs It" to West Point Graduates. |
| 1976: | The Ayn Rand Letter closes. |
| 1979: | Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology (1st ed.) published. |
| 1982: | Dies at home. |
