Dickinson was educated at Marling School in Stroud, Gloucestershire before going up to Exeter College, Oxford, where he read Modern History and graduated as Master of Arts. He was President of the Oxford Union Society and was subsequently called to the Bar at the Middle Temple.
A respected genealogist, he has worked at the College of Arms in London since 1968. Dickinson served as a research assistant at the College of Arms from 1968 until his appointment as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary in 1978. He served as Richmond Herald from 25 January 1989 until 6 April 2010.
On 6 April 2010 he was promoted to the office of Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, holding this office very briefly until he was further advanced to Clarenceux King of Arms on 1 September 2010.
He is also, inter alios, a Vice-President of the Anthony Powell Society and was elected President of the Society of Genealogists in 2005. Decorations Academic.
