Benjamin Sheares

Birth Name: Benjamin Henry Sheares

Date of Birth: 12 August, 1907

Place of Birth: Singapore, Straits Settlements

Date of Death: 12 May, 1981

Place of Death: Singapore

Ethnicity:
*father – English, possibly other
*mother – Chinese, Spanish

Benjamin Sheares was a Singaporean politician and professor. He served as the second President of Singapore, from 2 January, 1971 to 12 May, 1981, his death.

Benjamin’s father, Edwin Henry Sheares, was a technical supervisor of the Public Works Department, and was raised in India. Edwin later migrated to Penang and married Benjamin’s mother, Singapore-born Lilian Jane (Gómez), who was of Chinese Singaporean and Spanish descent.

Benjamin was married to Yeo Seh Geok Sheares, with whom he had three children.

Benjamin’s paternal grandfather was Charles Sheares (the son of Charles Burley Sheares and Anne Horse).

Benjamin’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Mealey (the daughter of William Mealey and Susan Reynolds). Susan was the daughter of English emigrant Thomas Reynolds, of Bishopstoke, Hampshire, and of Domingo Chander.

Sources: Genealogy of Benjamin’s father – https://www.myheritage.com

Marriage record of Benjamin’s paternal grandparents, Charles Sheares and Margaret Mealey – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Benjamin’s paternal great-great-grandparents, Thomas Reynolds and Domingo Chander – https://familysearch.org