Background
FERGUSON, John was born on December 1, 1842 in Tain, Scotland.
FERGUSON, John was born on December 1, 1842 in Tain, Scotland.
2nd, 4 March 1905, Ella Marianne, daughter of late J. J. Smith, Justice of the Peace Gold Medallist at Tain Royal Academy. Prepared for work on press in Inverness and London, 1859-1861. Arrived Ceylon, November 1861.
Was the oldest British editor in Asia.
Special authority on Ceylon affairs and statistics, and tropical products. Compiler and publisher of Planting Manuals.
Also author of illustrated Handbook to Ceylon, passed through five editions. Lecturer on Ceylon, Tropical Products, Colombo, and an Indo-Ceylon Railway before the Royal Colonial Institute, Society of Arts, and London Chamber of Commerce.
Ex-President and Life Member of Ceylon Branch Royal Asiatic Society, Life Member of British Association, Society of Arts, and of Royal Colonial Institute.
Ex-President of Ceylon Christian Literature Society. Contributor to Encyclopaedia Britannica. ExMeinber of the Legislative Council.
Late Proprietor-editor of the Ceylon Observer (daily), and Ceylon Handbook and Directory (annual).
Club: Royal Societies.