His Polish grandfather settled in England and became a confidant to the Duke of Grafton, while Dean's father worked in the Secretary of State's office for most of his life.
Dean defended their work, but pressure mounted, likely prompting his retirement in 1846; he died at his London residence four years later.
[1] Dean was appointed a Commissioner of Customs for England and Wales in 1810, after Sir Alexander Munro's post on the Board was vacated.
[10] In turn, Dean protested to the Committee that their scrutiny of the board should cease; while acknowledging that appointments to it were not meritocratic, he nonetheless defended the men as "gentlemen—men of education".
[11] In 1843, The Times published two articles which heavily criticised the Board and its practices; accusing them of "partiality and vindictiveness", the writer also stated that "with the exception of the chairman and vice-chairman, the Commissioners know as much of the affairs passing through their own departments as their own washerwomen.