John crawfurd biography
- John Crawfurd FRS (13 August 1783 – 11 May 1868) was a Scottish physician, colonial administrator, diplomat, and author who served as the second and last.
- John Crawfurd FRS was a Scottish physician, colonial administrator, diplomat, and author who served as the second and last Resident of Singapore.
- John Crawfurd (b.
- •
John Crawfurd (b. 1783, Scotland–d. 1868, England) was the second British Resident of Singapore, holding office from 9 June 1823 to 14 August 1826.1 He was instrumental in implementing some of the key elements of Stamford Raffles’s vision for Singapore, and for laying the foundation for the economic growth of Singapore.2 Although the spelling differs, Crawford Street, Crawford Lane, Crawford Bridge and Crawford Park are all named after him.3
Early life
Although Crawfurd was a qualified medical doctor, he was interested in languages, history and political administration. Crawfurd also authored several books about the regions around Singapore, including the three-volume History of the Indian Archipelago, A Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay Language with a Preliminary Dissertation, and A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands & Adjacent Countries. Crawfurd also published several articles on scientific subjects in the Singapore Chronicle and Logan’s Journal. He joined the medical service of the East India Company (E
- •
John Crawfurd
British historian (1783–1868)
For the Irish cricketer of the same name, see John Crawfurd (cricketer).
John CrawfurdFRS (13 August 1783 – 11 May 1868) was a Scottish physician, colonial administrator, diplomat, and author who served as the second and last Resident of Singapore.
Early life
He was born on Islay, in Argyll, Scotland, the son of Samuel Crawfurd, a physician, and Margaret Campbell; and was educated at the school in Bowmore. He followed his father's footsteps in the study of medicine and completed his medical course at the University of Edinburgh in 1803, at the age of 20.[1]
Crawfurd joined the East India Company, as a Company surgeon, and was posted to India's Northwestern Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), working in the area around Delhi and Agra[2] from 1803 to 1808. He saw service in the campaigns of Baron Lake.[3]
In the East Indies
Crawfurd was sent in 1808 to Penang, where he applied himself to the study of the Malay language and culture.[1] In Penang, he met Stamford Raffles for t
- •
The Doctor Turned Diplomat: John Crawfurd’s Writings on the Malay Peninsula
John Crawfurd, the 19th-century British colonial administrator, was known for his insightful writings on ethnology and history in the Malay Peninsula. Wilbert Wong examines the ideas of this visionary scholar and thinker.
Portrait of John Crawfurd, 1857. Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board.
The National Library, Singapore, has in its collection a number of items relating to John Crawfurd’s writings on Asia. In 2016, the collection was further enriched by an acquisition from Dr John Bastin – a noted authority on Stamford Raffles and author of numerous books and articles on the history of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Among the 19th-century British scholar-administrators of the Malay Peninsula, Crawfurd (1783–1868) was one of the most accomplished. He was highly regarded by the scholarly community for his formidable intellect and contributions to the field of ethnology, linguistics and Asian subjects – especially on Southeast Asia.
The Spectator newspaper
Copyright ©soybeck.pages.dev 2025