Benjamin Sheares facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Sheares
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Official portrait, 1971
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| 2nd President of Singapore | |
| In office 2 January 1971 – 12 May 1981 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew |
| Preceded by | Yusof Ishak |
| Succeeded by | Devan Nair |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Henry Sheares
12 August 1907 Singapore, Straits Settlements |
| Died | 12 May 1981 (aged 73) Singapore |
| Cause of death | Lung tumour |
| Resting place | Kranji State Cemetery |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Yeo Seh Geok Sheares (m. 1939–1981) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | King Edward VII College of Medicine Royal Postgraduate Medical School |
| Occupation |
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Benjamin Henry Sheares (born August 12, 1907 – died May 12, 1981) was a famous doctor and teacher from Singapore. He became the second president of Singapore and served from 1971 until he passed away in 1981.
Sheares retired from his medical work in 1960. Later, he was chosen by the Parliament to become president after the first president, Yusof Ishak, died. Sheares started his role on January 2, 1971.
He served as president for three terms, which is 10 years! He was the longest-serving president until S. R. Nathan broke his record in 2010. Sheares initially wanted to stop after his second term. However, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew convinced him to continue. He served until his death in 1981. Devan Nair became the next president.
Today, the Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Sheares Hall at the National University of Singapore are named after him.
Early Life and Education
Sheares was born on August 12, 1907, in Singapore. He was part of an Eurasian family with English roots. He was the second of six children. His father, Edwin H. Sheares, worked as a technical supervisor. His mother, Lilian Gómez, was from Singapore.
Life was tough for the Sheares family because his father's salary was low. As a child, Benjamin was called Ben or Bennie. He was a quiet boy who loved playing at Peirce Reservoir.
Benjamin always dreamed of becoming a doctor. This dream seemed almost impossible for someone from a poor Asian family in those days. His sister Alice encouraged him. His mother wanted him to become a clerk to help the family financially.
Sheares first went to St. Andrew's School. In 1922, he moved to Raffles Institution. This school had science labs, which was perfect for his dream. In 1923, he joined the King Edward VII College of Medicine. This college is now part of the National University of Singapore.
He knew his family could not afford the school fees. So, he won a scholarship because of his excellent grades. This scholarship allowed him to give $50 each month to his mother. He continued to do well and won four medals. He also passed his final exams in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) with high marks.
Medical Career
After graduating, Sheares worked as an obstetrician at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital. He also became a professor at the University of Malaya. He kept supporting his family. When his father died in 1940, he took full responsibility for them.
Sheares won the Queen's Fellowship. This award would let him study in Britain for two years. But his studies were delayed by the Second World War. In 1941, the hospital where he worked was bombed. It was turned into a hospital for injured civilians.
Sheares was a pioneer in a new way to perform Caesarean sections. This method was safer for pregnant women. It caused fewer deaths and problems than the older method. This method is still the most common one used today.
After the war, Sheares became an acting professor. He taught Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the hospital. In 1947, he went to the Royal Postgraduate Medical School for his advanced studies. He returned to Singapore in 1948. He continued as acting professor before becoming a full professor in 1950.
Sheares retired from the hospital in 1960. He then worked in private practice. He was still an Honorary Consultant. He kept teaching students at the hospital until he became president.
Presidency
Benjamin Sheares became Singapore's second president on January 2, 1971. His mother was 91 years old when she heard the news. She said, "God has blessed Bennie especially after the way he looked after us and me." It is believed that Sheares may have given all his presidential salary to charity.
Sheares served three terms as president. This was from January 2, 1971, until May 12, 1981. He wanted to retire after his second term. He felt he did not have enough energy for another term. But Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew convinced him to continue. Sheares was 70 years old then. He held the office until his death in 1981. Devan Nair became the next president.
Personal Life
Sheares married Yeo Seh Geok Sheares in 1939. They had three children together. Their daughter, Constance Sheares, works in the arts. She is an arts administrator, curator, and writer.
Death and Legacy
Doctors found tumors in Sheares' lung in November 1980. He was serving his third term as president at the time. He fell into a coma on May 8, 1981. He passed away four days later, on May 12. He was buried at Kranji State Cemetery.
Many things are named after him. These include the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, Sheares Avenue, and Sheares Link. In education, there is Sheares Hall at the National University of Singapore. There are also the Benjamin Henry Sheares Professorship in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and the Benjamin Sheares Professorship in Academic Medicine. The Benjamin Sheares College at the Duke–NUS Graduate Medical School is also named after him. The Sheares Block in Raffles Institution also carries his name.
See also
- President of Singapore
- Benjamin Sheares Bridge
