Benjamin Henry Sheares
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| Benjamin Henry Sheares | |
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| In office 2 January 1971 – 12 May 1981 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew (1959–1990) |
| Preceded by | Yusof bin Ishak |
| Succeeded by | Devan Nair |
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| Born | 12 August 1907 Singapore |
| Died | 12 May 1981 (aged 73) Singapore |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Spouse | S.G. Sheares |
| Children | Daughter: Constance Sheares (art historian) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Religion | Christian |
| Website | www.istana.gov.sg |
Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares (12 August 1907 – 12 May 1981) was the second President of Singapore.
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[edit] Early Life
Benjamin was born the second child of six children in Singapore to an Eurasian family with an English lineage. His father Edwin H Sheares, a technical supervisor of the Public Works Department, was born in England and raised in India. Edwin later migrated to Penang and married Singapore-born Lilian Gomez, of Chinese Singaporean and Spanish descent, and had six children - the first died in infancy. Life was hard for the Sheares family with the meagre pay that Edwin received from his post, but they were still happy.[1] The young Ben or Bennie as he was affectionately known, was a quiet boy keeping very much to himself and loved to play at the Pierce Reservoir where his father worked.[2] He had a close relationship with his sister Alice and often loved to play doctor with her. There was one incident when he made Alice swallow a one-cent coin as a medical “pill” in their game. Benjamin was six years old then and receiving a good hiding from his mother Lilian. Throughout his growing years Benjamin showed ambition to become a doctor - a dream deemed an almost impossible one for someone coming from a poor family and being an Asian in early colonial days in Singapore. Alice continued to spirit him on with that dream, against his mother's wishes for his son to take up a job as a clerk and start helping out with the family bills when he completes his Senior Cambridge Examinations (O-Level equivalent).[1] Ben attended the Methodist Girls' School and then in 1918 went to Saint Andrew's School, Singapore. He transferred himself to study at the Raffles Institution in 1922, as the Institution was the only school with equipped with scientific laboratories and that it was an ideal place to further his ambition to become a doctor. In 1923, he enrolled into the King Edward VII College of Medicine Singapore to begin his medical training. But he knew too well that his family could not see him through the hefty school fees afforded by the College, and he won a generous scholarship offered by the Council of the Medical College with his exemplary academic performance. He was able to part his $50 monthly award to his mother to help support his family. He continued to excel in his studies and was awarded four medals by his College and passed his Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) final examinations with distinctions. Upon graduation and working as an obstetrician in the Kandang Kerbau Hospital and a professor at the University of Malaya he continued to support his family, and assuming full responsibility for his family when his father died in 1940.[1] Dr. Sheares was also the first Chancellor of the National University of Singapore.
[edit] Presidency
Benjamin Sheares became Singapore's second president on 2 January 1971. His mother was 91 years of age, when she learnt that he had become President of the Republic of Singapore. Just two weeks before she died, she had said God has blessed Bennie especially after the way he looked after us and me.[1] He continued to serve faithfully and was well-loved by the people in Singapore, and held the office until his death in 1981. He was succeeded as President by C. V. Devan Nair, and buried in the Kranji State Cemetery.
The Benjamin Sheares Bridge is named after him, as is a student's residence hall, Sheares Hall, in the National University of Singapore.
One of Sheares' main contributions to medicine was a technique to create an artificial vagina for those born without one. A modification of it is still used for sex change operations today.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d Sheares, J. (Joseph) H.H. (July 2005), “Benjamin Henry Sheares, MD, MS, FRCOG: President, Republic of Singapore 1971–1981; Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 1931–1981 : A Biography, 12th August 1907 – 12th May 1981”, Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 34 (6): 25C–41C, ISSN 0304-4602, <http://annals.edu.sg/pdf/34VolNo6200506/V34N6p25C.pdf>
- ^ Kaur, R. (1987/88), The life of Benjamin Henry Sheares 1907-1981, Singapore: Department of History, National University of Singapore
- ^ Gwee, Elizabeth. "A long overdue book on KKH", The Straits Times, 2002-11-20.
[edit] References
- Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon (1997-11-10). Benjamin Sheares Bridge. Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
- Arunasalam, Sitragandi (2002-10-25). Benjamin Sheares. Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
– A biography of Dr. Benjamin Sheares written by his son, Dr. Joseph Sheares, noting the contributions of Dr. Sheares as an obstetrician, gynaecologist and President of Singapore, and offering an intimate insight into Dr. Sheares' life before and after taking public office.
- Benjamin Sheares. ISTANA Singapore : Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore, Government of Singapore (2006-06-15). Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
| Preceded by Yusof bin Ishak |
President of Singapore 1970-1981 |
Succeeded by Devan Nair |
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Presidents of Singapore |
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Yusof bin Ishak | Benjamin Henry Sheares | C.V. Devan Nair | Wee Kim Wee | Ong Teng Cheong | S.R. Nathan |
