Abraham Logan (b. 31 August 1816, Hattan Hall, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 20 December 1873, Penang, Malaya) was a leading lawyer in Singapore, and the owner and editor of the Singapore Free Press. He was pivotal in the historic transfer of the Straits Settlements to the Colonial Office on 1 April 1867.
Significant Contributions
Public Service
Logan was pivotal in the historic transfer of the Straits Settlements to the Colonial Office on 1 April 1867. He had been a committee member for the appeal to the British Parliament between 1857 and 1862, and wrote the critical financial and administrative reports in 1864 for the Commissioner's review of the transfer. Earlier in 1855, the Straits Times had implored the establishment of a Reform League to advocate radical changes to the colonial administration. Despite the fact that the motion to break away from Indian rule was rejected, Logan, William H. Read, Robin Woods and Joaquim d'Almeida remained dedicated to the cause. With the help of contacts in London, the group held negotiations with the British government and secured the transfer successfully.
Logan also was Secretary to the Singapore Chamber of Commerce for 18 years since its founding in 1850 until his retirement in 1868. He was known to advocate constitutional and judicial reforms to Straits Settlements administration, particularly from the 1850s to the 1860s. On several occasions, he was asked to present before the British Parliament on economic concerns of the colony such as currency matters, income tax and the sending of convicts to Singapore.
Community Involvements
The Singapore Library was established in 1844, with Logan and his brother amongst its first shareholders. Both brothers were instrumental in expanding the library's collection and growing its membership. The library's early meetings with its subscribers were held at Logan's office in Battery Road.
Besides the library, Logan was also interested in journalism and the press. In 1843, Logan became the editor of the Singapore Free Press, remaining so until 1865 when he sold off the newspaper. He had purchased the Singapore Free Press from W. R. George on 1 November 1848 and shifted its office from High Street to No. 1 Malacca Street. Through this paper, Logan is credited for establishing high journalistic standards in the colony and for voicing the need for change in legislative and administrative matters.
Logan was also on the committee set up in 1846 to form a local Presbyterian Congregation and was later appointed a minister.
Death
Logan lived on Mount Pleasant in Thomson Road. Upon his brother, James's, death, Logan left for Penang in 1869, resigning quite suddenly from many of his positions in Singapore. He died in Penang on 20 December 1873.
Family
Father: Thomas Logan from Berrywell, Berwickshire, Scotland
Brother: James Richardson Logan
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia & Bonny Tan
References
Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore 1819-1867 (pp. 327, 379, 419, 493, 499, 561, 597, 633, 639, 651, 668, 680, 694, 697, 747, 755, 771, 773). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC)
Fortnights summary. (1869, December 25) [Microfilm No. NL1968]. The Straits Times, p. 1.
Makepeace, W., Brooke, G. E., & Braddell, R. St. J. (Eds.). (1991). One hundred years of Singapore (Vol. 1, pp. 195-196, 533). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 ONE)
Mr Logan. (1865, January 7) [Microfilm No. NL 5042]. The Straits Times, p. 1.
Singapore Archives & Oral History Dept. (1984). The land transport of Singapore: From early times to the present (p. 47). Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau.
(Call no.: RSING 779.9388095957 LAN)
Turnbull, C. M. (1985). A history of Singapore 1819-1975 (pp.70, 74). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR)
The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.
Significant Contributions
Public Service
Logan was pivotal in the historic transfer of the Straits Settlements to the Colonial Office on 1 April 1867. He had been a committee member for the appeal to the British Parliament between 1857 and 1862, and wrote the critical financial and administrative reports in 1864 for the Commissioner's review of the transfer. Earlier in 1855, the Straits Times had implored the establishment of a Reform League to advocate radical changes to the colonial administration. Despite the fact that the motion to break away from Indian rule was rejected, Logan, William H. Read, Robin Woods and Joaquim d'Almeida remained dedicated to the cause. With the help of contacts in London, the group held negotiations with the British government and secured the transfer successfully.
Logan also was Secretary to the Singapore Chamber of Commerce for 18 years since its founding in 1850 until his retirement in 1868. He was known to advocate constitutional and judicial reforms to Straits Settlements administration, particularly from the 1850s to the 1860s. On several occasions, he was asked to present before the British Parliament on economic concerns of the colony such as currency matters, income tax and the sending of convicts to Singapore.
Community Involvements
The Singapore Library was established in 1844, with Logan and his brother amongst its first shareholders. Both brothers were instrumental in expanding the library's collection and growing its membership. The library's early meetings with its subscribers were held at Logan's office in Battery Road.
Besides the library, Logan was also interested in journalism and the press. In 1843, Logan became the editor of the Singapore Free Press, remaining so until 1865 when he sold off the newspaper. He had purchased the Singapore Free Press from W. R. George on 1 November 1848 and shifted its office from High Street to No. 1 Malacca Street. Through this paper, Logan is credited for establishing high journalistic standards in the colony and for voicing the need for change in legislative and administrative matters.
Logan was also on the committee set up in 1846 to form a local Presbyterian Congregation and was later appointed a minister.
Death
Logan lived on Mount Pleasant in Thomson Road. Upon his brother, James's, death, Logan left for Penang in 1869, resigning quite suddenly from many of his positions in Singapore. He died in Penang on 20 December 1873.
Family
Father: Thomas Logan from Berrywell, Berwickshire, Scotland
Brother: James Richardson Logan
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia & Bonny Tan
References
Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore 1819-1867 (pp. 327, 379, 419, 493, 499, 561, 597, 633, 639, 651, 668, 680, 694, 697, 747, 755, 771, 773). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC)
Fortnights summary. (1869, December 25) [Microfilm No. NL1968]. The Straits Times, p. 1.
Makepeace, W., Brooke, G. E., & Braddell, R. St. J. (Eds.). (1991). One hundred years of Singapore (Vol. 1, pp. 195-196, 533). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 ONE)
Mr Logan. (1865, January 7) [Microfilm No. NL 5042]. The Straits Times, p. 1.
Singapore Archives & Oral History Dept. (1984). The land transport of Singapore: From early times to the present (p. 47). Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau.
(Call no.: RSING 779.9388095957 LAN)
Turnbull, C. M. (1985). A history of Singapore 1819-1975 (pp.70, 74). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR)
The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.
