Born at Larne in March 1844, Dixon was a timber merchant and ship owner who played a significant role in the life of the Belfast Corporation.

Dixon joined his father’s shipping and timber firm, Thomas Dixon & Sons, and was a life partner at the company. He had shares and held directorships in many other companies including the Irish Shipowners’ Company, the Ulster Steamship Company, and the Belfast and County Down Railway Company.

Dixon was elected to the Belfast Corporation for Dock Ward in 1871, and served as an alderman during 1881. In his first term as Mayor the office was changed to become Lord Mayor. He was re-elected as Lord Mayor in 1893 and again on five other occasions.

In 1905 he was elected as a Conservative MP and held the position until his death in 1907.

Dixon subscribed to a large number of charitable and educational organisations, including the Royal Victoria Hospital and Queen’s College Belfast (now Queen’s University Belfast).

He died suddenly aged sixty-three, prompting a by-election for his parliamentary seat. A bronze statue of Dixon by Sir William Hamo Thorneycroft stands in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.