John Howard Lidgett Cumpston CMG (19 June 1880 – 9 October 1954) was a senior Australian public servant, and first Director-General of the Department of Health.

He was appointed medical officer to the central board of health in Western Australia in 1907.

[4] In 1949, he accepted a position in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), advising on the introduction of a new health scheme for the country.

[2] He married Gladys Maeva,[5][6] the daughter of Dr G. A. Walpole of Gormanston, Tasmania, on 2 January 1908.

Among their seven children was Ina Mary, an academic historian of British imperialism, and John Stanley, diplomat, author and publisher.