He travelled to the United Kingdom and studied at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a degree in medicine and surgery in 1864.
[8][9][10] Whilst the report was heavily criticised by plantation owners it did result in Governor William Gregory reviewing the regulations governing the control of migrant labour.
[16] During his tenure on the Legislative Council van Dort called for tuberculosis to be recognised as an infectious disease and that it be treated through policies on isolation, special hospitals and compulsory notification.
[17] In c.1860 van Dort married Countess Caroline Lackenstein (c.1845-1861) in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
[18] Van Dort died on 26 October 1921, twelve days after his wife's death.