Sir John Douglas (5 December 1836 – 22 August 1885) was the Irish-born son of Lt Gen Sir James Dawes Douglas (1795âÂÂ1862) and Marianne Bullock.
Douglas was in the Civil Service of Mauritius 1859âÂÂ1869 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 â 17 August 1878 before returning to Ceylon as Lieut.-Governor and Colonial Secretary, 1878âÂÂ1880. He was appointed Acting Governor, 10 July 1883 â 3 December 1883.
Douglas was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 1883 Birthday Honours.
Douglas had married, in 1871, Alice Anne, daughter of Right Rev. Piers Calveley Claughton (d. 1884), Bishop of Colombo, Ceylon. They had five children.
Sir John Douglas died in Ceylon on 23 August 1885 and was buried at St Paul's Church, Kandy.