William Logan (1841–1914) was a Scottish officer of the Madras Civil Service under the British Government. Before his appointment as Collector of Malabar, he had served in the area for about twenty years in the capacity of Magistrate and Judge. He was conversant in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. Logan had a special liking for Kerala and its people.
Malabar by William Logan (popularly known as the Malabar Manual) is a guide to Malabar District under the Presidency of Madras in British India, compiled during Logan's tenure as Collector of Malabar. It is an exhaustive volume giving the details of the geography, people, their religion and castes, language and culture.
The book contains the personal touch of Logan. The descriptions of customs, dress, festival etc. provides valuable information on the history of the region.
Malabar is a compilation of facts that depicts the life and style of the vernacular people of Malabar District, with some interesting notes on the English Raj's life then.
To commemorate this British official's work and life in Thalassery, the main road that cuts across the town is named after him as "Logan's Road".