Benjamin Sheares

Benjamin Sheares, born on August twelfth, nineteen oh seven, was a distinguished Singaporean obstetrician, gynaecologist, and academic. He made history as the second president of Singapore, serving from January second, nineteen seventy-one until his passing on May twelfth, nineteen eighty-one. His journey began in Singapore under British rule, where he graduated from the King Edward VII College of Medicine in nineteen twenty-nine.

Sheares specialized in obstetrics and gynaecology, working at both the Singapore General Hospital and Kandang Kerbau Hospital. His academic prowess led him to become the acting professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Malaya in Singapore, and in nineteen fifty, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first local to hold the position of professor in this field, a role typically reserved for high-ranking colonial officers.

After retiring in nineteen sixty-one due to health issues, Sheares transitioned into private practice. His political career began when he was elected president of Singapore by parliament following the death of Yusof Ishak. He was sworn in on January second, nineteen seventy-one, and notably, he remains the only president to have been elected for three terms, serving until his death in office.

During his presidency, Sheares officiated numerous significant events, including the 1971 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the 1973 South East Asian Peninsular Games. He is often referred to as the father of obstetrics and gynaecology in Singapore, having standardized the lower Caesarian section and developed the