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Tan Kim Seng: A Biography

by Vivienne Tan
Regular price $15.71
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Unveiling Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng's legacy.

If you find the roots of modern Singapore fascinating, this biography will be a rich resource for you. It gives life to the story of Tan Kim Seng, a man whose influence is still seen in the city's landmarks. Illustrated with rare family images, it's not just a tale of history, but of a vision and legacy that continues to shape a nation.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
Just Arrived

Tan Kim Seng: A Biography

by Vivienne Tan
Regular price $15.71
Unit price
per
Condition guide
ISBN: 9789814189965
Author: Vivienne Tan

Description

It is remarkable that no biography of Tan Kim Seng has been published until now considering that his imprint on 19th century Singapore is so significant.
Most Singaporeans will associate him with the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, Kim Seng Road and Kim Seng Bridge. Others may be aware of how the fountain came to be and that Tan Kim Seng in 1849 founded Chong Wen Ge, the first Chinese school in Singapore. Or that he was pivotal in quelling the Great Riot of 1854 when Hokkien and Teochew secret societies clashed. And that he gave a ball that was so famous that it was reported in England in a journal published by Charles Dickens. Some may not even know these facts.
In the year when Singapore commemorates its bicentennial, it is timely that the life story of one of our most entrepreneurial pioneers is made known in a lavish book illustrated with rare images from the Tan family collection.
Tan Kim Seng was not the typical refugee from South China. His family had already been in the Nanyang for three generations when he arrived in Singapore in the 1820s. With business ecumen and gaining trust with British merchants, he built an empire with warehouses, mansions and the largest single piece of property which stretched from the coast of Pasir Panjang to Ulu Pandan to Tanglin.
The details of his will, designed to repel “the curse of the third generation”, is founded on his values and beliefs. But what he did not anticipate was how his well-thought-out plans would be unravelled primarily by English Law.


Author: Vivienne Tan
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 148
Publisher: Landmark Books
Publication Date: 2019
 

Unveiling Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng's legacy.

If you find the roots of modern Singapore fascinating, this biography will be a rich resource for you. It gives life to the story of Tan Kim Seng, a man whose influence is still seen in the city's landmarks. Illustrated with rare family images, it's not just a tale of history, but of a vision and legacy that continues to shape a nation.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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