John Frederick Dickson

Sir John Frederick Dickson (17 September 1835 – 21 December 1891) was a British colonial administrator in Singapore. He was also President of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1886 to 1891. He translated and edited the Upasampadā-kammavācā and the Patimokkha.

Education Dickson graduated from Westminster School and then Christ Church, Oxford with B.A. in 1859 and M.A. in 1873.

Career Dickson entered the Ceylon Civil Service as a writer on 28 February 1859 and served in Ceylon until 1885, including a position as the Central Provincial Government Agent. He arrived in Singapore in 1885 to receive instruction on becoming the new Colonial Secretary in Singapore, which he served until 1891.

As Colonial Secretary, he instructed the Public Works Department to maintain the historical inscriptions, granite stones, and brick works in the cemetery on Government Hill.

Death Dickson died in 1891 in Paddington.

Family J. Frederick Dickson was twice married.

Honours Dickson was made C.M.G. in 1883 and K.C.M.G. in 1888. The resort town of Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (locally known as PD) is named in his honour.