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John Douglas

1836 – 1885

British colonial administrator, born 1835

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About John Douglas

Lived 1836 – 1885 (aged 48). John Douglas was a British official.

Sir John Douglas (5 December 1836 – 22 August 1885) was the Irish-born son of Lt Gen Sir James Dawes Douglas (1795–1862) and Marianne Bullock.

Career Douglas was in the Civil Service of Mauritius 1859–1869 when he transferred to Ceylon where he was Auditor-General between 1869 and 1876. He became Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements on 17 February 1876 – 17 August 1878 before returning to Ceylon as Lieut.-Governor and Colonial Secretary, 1878–1880. He was appointed Acting Governor, 10 July 1883 – 3 December 1883.

Honours Douglas was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 1883 Birthday Honours.

Family Douglas had married, in 1871, Alice Anne, daughter of Right Rev. Piers Calveley Claughton (d. 1884), Bishop of Colombo, Ceylon. They had five children.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Governor of British Ceylon, Auditor General of Sri Lanka, Chief Secretary of Singapore
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Sir John Douglas

People in John Douglas's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Douglas's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Douglas?

British colonial administrator, born 1835

When was John Douglas born?

John Douglas was born on 5 December 1836 in Ireland.

When did John Douglas die?

John Douglas died on 22 August 1885 in British Ceylon.

What was John Douglas's occupation?

John Douglas was an official.

What nationality was John Douglas?

John Douglas was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Douglas

· Wikidata: Q16198636

· DBpedia: John Douglas (colonial administrator)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Douglas. https://biography.guide/john-douglas-official/

MLA: "John Douglas." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-douglas-official/.

Chicago: "John Douglas." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-douglas-official/.

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