Benjamin Sheares DJMK DPMK KCMG MD MS FACS FRCOG |
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本杰明·亨利·薛尔思 | |
2nd President of Singapore | |
In office 2 January 1971 – 12 May 1981 |
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Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew (1959–1990) |
Preceded by | Yusof Ishak |
Succeeded by | Devan Nair |
Personal details | |
Born |
Benjamin Henry Sheares 12 August 1907 Singapore, Straits Settlements (now Singapore) |
Died | 12 May 1981 Singapore |
(aged 73)
Resting place | Kranji State Cemetery |
Nationality | Singaporean |
Spouse(s) | Yeo Seh Geok Sheares (died 2012) |
Children | Constance Edwin Chin-Hwee Joseph |
Occupation | Physician |
Religion | Christianity (Protestant) |
Benjamin Henry Sheares DJMK DPMK KCMG MD MS FACS FRCOG (12 August 1907 – 12 May 1981) was a Singaporean politician and professor. He served as the second President of Singapore. Before his presidency, Sheares was a well known and distinguished obstetrician and gynaecologist. He graduated from King Edward VII College of Medicine (now known as National University of Singapore) in 1929 with a medical degree and began his career at the General Hospital (now Singapore General Hospital). During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, Sheares was the head of the O&G department at Kandang Kerbau Hospital and was appointed acting professor of O&G after the war. He then went for further studies at Royal Postgraduate Medical School in Britain in 1947 and became a full professor in 1950 at the hospital after his return.
Sheares retired in 1960 and was in private practice before being elected by parliament as president after President Yusof Ishak died on November 23, 1970. He served as president for three terms from January 2, 1971 until his death on May 12, 1981. The Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Sheares Hall hostel at the National University of Singapore was named after him.