Benjamin Sheares
Benjamin Henry Sheares (12 August 1907 – 12 May 1981) was a Singaporean physician and academic who served as the second president of Singapore from 1971 until his death in 1981.
Benjamin Sheares | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1971 | |
| 2nd President of Singapore | |
| In office 2 January 1971 – 12 May 1981 | |
| 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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Sheares retired in 1960 and was in private practice before being elected as the president of Singapore by the Parliament after the death of Yusof Ishak, the former president of the Republic, on 23 November 1970. He was sworn in on 2 January 1971.
Sheares initially wanted to retire after finishing his second term as he felt that he did not have the energy for another term, but Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew persuaded him to remain and Sheares took on his third term. He served as the president of Singapore for three terms from 2 January 1971 until his death on 12 May 1981. He was succeeded by Devan Nair on 23 October 1981.
Both the Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Sheares Hall at the National University of Singapore are named after him.