His father was from an old Quaker family with roots in Essex, and he was related to the physician and politician Thomas Dimsdale (1712-1800).

[7] Later that year he was invested by the King as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) on 24 October 1902[8] (gazetted in the November 1902 Birthday Honours list.[9]).

[10] Another coronation guest who was formally received by the city was Ras Makonnen, the special envoy of the Emperor of Ethiopia.

[3] He died on 9 August 1912,[15] whilst in the office of Chamberlain of the City of London, a position he had held since being elected unanimously in November 1902.

[16] A portrait of Dimsdale, in his robes of Lord Mayor holding the crystal scepter which he carried at the 1902 coronation, was unveiled at Grocers' Hall in October 1902.