John Turnbull Thomson

John Turnbull Thomson (b. 10 August 1821, Glororum, England - d.16 October 1884, Invercargill, New Zealand) was a noted Government Surveyor for the Straits Settlements and architect, particularly for outlining the early maps of Singapore. He had also been credited for designing key buildings in Singapore.
Early life
He came to survey Malaya at the young age of 16 and first arrived in Singapore in 1837. His accomplishments in Malaya attracted the attention of the Governor of Singapore and led to his appointment as Government Surveyor for the Eastern Settlements, namely Singapore, in October 1841 when he was merely 21.

Contributions
For 12 years, he acted as surveyor and engineer to Singapore, outlining planning maps of Singapore Town, the Island and the Straits of Singapore. He was also instrumental in designing key buildings in the Town and important lighthouses dotting Singapore's outlying islands. He captured his works and the life of those times using his skills as a self-trained artist. Due to ill-health, he retired in 1855 and moved on to New Zealand where he became its first Surveyor-General.

Some of his accomplishments include:
Surveys
1843 : Survey of Singapore Town and its vicinity (22,414 acres).
1844 : Topographical Survey of the Island of Singapore and its dependencies (224 sq m).
1846 : Marine Survey of the Straits of Singapore (33 miles latitude, 100 miles longitude).

Constructions and buildings
Kallang Bridge
Powder Magazine
Tower and Spire of St Andrew's Cathedral
Seamen's Hospital
Chinese Hospital
Surgery and Apothecaries house attached
Ellenborough Building
Kandang Kerbau Bridge
Dalhousie Testimonial (obelisk), 1850
Horsburgh Lighthouse
Barn Island Lighthouse
Peak Rock Lighthouse
Coney Island Lighthouse
Screw Pile Lighthouse on 2 1/2 Fathoms Bank
Waterworks for town supply
Her Majesty's Jail (at Outram Road)
Convict Jail
China Market

He was also responsible for the construction of a 24-mile carriage road.

Books
Glimpses of life in Malayan lands.(1984). Singapore: Oxford University Press
(Call no.: R SING 959.5 THO)

Sequel to some glimpses into life in the Far East. (1865). London: Richardson Co.
(Call no.: RRARE 959 THO)

Hakayit Abdulla translations from the Hakayit Abdulla Munshi with comments by J T Thomson. (1874). London: H.S. King
(Call no.:RRARE 959.5 ABD)


Author
Vernon Cornelius 



References
Hall-Jones, J. (1979). An early surveyor in Singapore: John Turnbull Thomson in Singapore, 1841-1853 (pp.1-30). Singapore: National Museum.
(Call no.: RSING 526.90924 THO)

Hall-Jones, J. [1971]. Mr. Surveyor Thomson: Early days in Otago and Southland. Wellington, Reed.
(Call no.: RSEA 526.9092 THO) 



The information in this article is valid as at 1998 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.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Colonial Administrators
John Turnbull Thomson, 1821-1884
Colonial administrators--Singapore--Biography
Surveying--Singapore--Biography
People and communities>>Social groups and communities
Law and government>>Public administration

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