Francis Alan Jackson was born in Malton, Yorkshire, and received his early education as a chorister at York Minster (1929-1933) under his predecessor, Sir Edward Bairstow.
He was organist of Malton Parish Church from 1933 to 1940.
In 1937, he obtained the FRCO (Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists) with the Limpus Prize.
In 1946, he was appointed Organist and Director of Music at York Minster and held these positions until his retirement in 1982.
In 1957, he was awarded the DMus (Doctor of Music degree) by Durham University.
In 1970, he became Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey.
On retiring from York Minster in 1982, he received the FRNCM (Fellowship of the Royal Northern College of Music), the Doctorate of the University of York and, at the hands of the Archbishop of York, Lord Blanch, the Order of Saint William of York.
He was President of the Royal College of Organists from 1972 to 1974.
In 1978, he was appointed OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to music. In 2007, he was promoted to CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's birthday honours for services to music.
In 2012, he received the Lambeth Degree of DMus (Doctor of Music) (Cantuar) from the Archbishop of Canterbury and he was awarded the inaugural Medal of the Royal College of Organists "for organ playing, organ and choral composition, and choral conducting".
Both nationally and internationally acclaimed, Jackson has given recitals and concerts all over the world and made numerous recordings of solo organ music and of choral music with the choir of York Minster.
Jackson's extensive output of sacred and secular music includes canticles, anthems, hymn tunes (including the widely sung "East Acklam"), organ sonatas and other organ pieces such as "Diversion for Mixtures", two acclaimed monodramas ("Daniel in Babylon" and "A Time of Fire"), an overture ("Brigantia"), a concerto, a symphony, and solo songs. Jackson's creative output has continued since his retirement.
Jackson is also the author of a biography of his teacher, mentor and predecessor, Sir Edward Bairstow, entitled "Blessed City: The Life and Works of Sir Edward C. Bairstow".
His autobiography, "Music For A Long While", was published in 2013. He turned 100 in October 2017.