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