“God has blessed Bennie especially after the way he looked after us and me.”
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Benjamin Sheares
Benjamin Henry Sheares was a Singaporean obstetrician, gynaecologist, and academic who served as the second president of Singapore between 1971 until his death in 1981.
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science · President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 · politician · gynecologist · physician · also Benjamin Sheares, Benjamin Henry Sheares, Sheares
Born 12 August 1907 · Died 12 May 1981 · Q125139
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2026· 2 entries
Channel NewsAsia Singapore: CNA938 Rewind - Telling the Remarkable Benjamin Sheares Story with Author K. C. Vijayan
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2020· 1 entry
Channel NewsAsia Singapore: Singapore on Foot: Day 2 - Chinatown, Benjamin Sheares Bridge, East Coast Park
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1981· 1 entry
Died 1981-05-12.
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1980· 1 entry
Sheares was involved in improving commercial and economic relations with Kuwait after a visit by the Emir of Kuwait Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah where they discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries
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1979· 1 entry
Sheares assented multiple acts such as the Money-Changing and Remittance Business Act 1979 and the State Immunity Act 1979
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1978· 3 entries
Election won: 1978 presidential election.
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Campaign: 1978 presidential election.
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Sheares opened the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly at Mandarin Hotel and the sixth Asia and Oceania Congress of Endocrinology at Shangri-La Hotel
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1977· 1 entry
At the opening of the fourth Parliament, Sheares gave a speech addressing the economics and security of Singapore, stating that they have increased from prospects given in October 1972
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1976· 1 entry
That "you were just ordered to specialise by the professor if you had good marks", but that "once I got involved, I loved the discipline"
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1974· 3 entries
Election won: 1974 presidential election.
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Campaign: 1974 presidential election.
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Sheares taught demonstration classes at KKH to gynaecologists
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1971· 2 entries
Career landmark: President of Singapore (1971–1981).
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Was appointed Chancellor of the National University of Singapore and he served in that role till 1981
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1970· 2 entries
Election won: 1970 presidential election.
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Campaign: 1970 presidential election.
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1968· 1 entry
And 1969, Sheares served as the chairman of the Chapter of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and on the obstetrics and gynaecology committee of the School of Postgraduate Medical Studies, respectively
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1965· 1 entry
Suddenly collapsed at work due to a massive gastric haemorrhage, and received a gastrectomy operation from his colleague and friend Yeoh Ghim Seng
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1961· 1 entry
Due to health complications and went into private practice before being elected as the president of Singapore by parliament following the death of incumbent president Yusof Ishak
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1959· 1 entry
Sheares advocated for voluntary sterilisation as a way to reduce population growth instead of legalising abortion, which he garnered criticism for
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1955· 3 entries
Sheares and his family were robbed in their bungalow, which was provided by the University of Malaya in Singapore, and had S$10,000 worth of jewellery and cash stolen from them
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Sheares became the first Singaporean to be awarded a fellowship by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, following his contributions to the sector
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In 1955, Sheares and his family were robbed in their bungalow, which was provided by the University of Malaya in Singapore, and had S$10,000 worth of jewellery and cash stolen from them.
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1952· 1 entry
The School of Midwifery was established, with Sheares serving as its chairman of the board, and he improved the training of midwives
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1950· 1 entry
Becoming the first local to rise to such a position as high-ranking colonial officers were usually appointed instead
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1942· 1 entry
The Japanese interned British doctors, leading to local doctors taking up larger roles in the medical service
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1941· 1 entry
Continued working at KKH and was in charge of its two obstetrical wards
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1939· 2 entries
Was awarded the Queen's Fellowship, which granted him two-years of postgraduate training in London
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Was exonerated of all blame for a traffic accident where he hit a ten-year-old boy
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1937· 1 entry
English posted Sheares to KKH – which was converted to a maternity hospital in 1935 – to take responsibility for all obstetric patients at KKH
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1931· 1 entry
Was transferred to Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH), but was later transferred to SGH's obstetrics and gynaecology unit at the request of professor J
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1923· 1 entry
Successfully enrolled at KECOM as a government scholar; the scholarships were provided by the Council of the Medical College
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1922· 1 entry
To study to qualify for the King Edward VII College of Medicine (KECOM)
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1907· 1 entry
Born 1907-08-12.
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