Eu Tong Sen

Eu Tong Sen (b. 1877, Penang - d. May 1941, Singapore) was a businessman nicknamed the "King of Tin" and philanthropist. The Eu family continued to develop the sales of Oriental medicines under the brand name Eu Yan Sang based mainly in Hongkong.

Early life
Eu Tong Sen has his roots in Guangdong, China. At the age of 13, he inherited his father's estate and tin mine industry upon the sudden demise of his father. He was still studying in China at that time but returned to Ipoh two years later upon the completion of his studies.

Contributions
Taking over the business at the age of 21, he doubled the business by investing in mines, medicinal shops, rubber estates and prime properties in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.  He became one of the region's wealthiest person by the age of 30.

Eu Tong Sen was also a generous man who donated money to several causes. Among these were the building of Raffles college, contributions, and various other relief funds. He was also instrumental in several building projects. Buildings credited to him include the Tien Yien Moh Toi theatre built in 1927 at New Bridge Road to stage Cantonese operas, and the Eu Villa which was located at Mount Sophia. Known to be one of the largest houses in Singapore at that time, the five-storey Eu Villa was believed to have cost one million dollars to build. Today the theatre has been converted to a cinema known as Majestic Theatre, while the Eu Villa was demolished in the 1980s.

Career
1909 : Set up the Hongkong branch of Eu Yan Sang
1920 : Together with two other partners, he set up the Lee Wah Bank catering mainly to the Cantonese in Singapore.

Politics
1911 - 1920 : The Chinese Representative in Malaya's Federal Council

Awards
For his various contributions, Eu Tong Sen was awarded the Order of the British Empire. Upon his untimely death in May 1941 of a heart attack, his empire underwent a long-drawn liquidation process among his 13 sons.

Family
Father: Eu Kwong Pai a.k.a. Eu Kong (b. 1852? - d. 1890), moved out of Guangdong and set up Chop Yan Sang, a grocery in Gopeng, Perak. Later he established himself in tin mining industry. He only ventured into the medicinal business to aid his sickly workers.
Mother: Leong Lay Yong
Wife: Jenny (or Jennie)
Sons: Eu Keng Chee, eldest, nicknamed K. C. (d. 1957). Singapore's first chartered accountant who graduated from Cambridge University.
Eu Keng Loon
Eu Keng Ngo
William Eu
Edward Eu Keng Oi
Henry Eu
Eu Keng Mun, Richard, banker (retired); Based in Singapore. Chairman of Community Chest.
Charles Eu Keng Pang, Executive Director of Eu Yan Sang (HK) until legal action caused a family split in 1996.
Alexander Eu
John Eu
Fred Eu
Andrew Eu, founder and managing director of TVB. Married to Sandra.
Roy Eu
Grandsons: Dick Eu, executive director of Eu Yan Sang Holdings Ltd.



Author
Michael Mukunthan



References 
Eu Yan Sang Holdings. (1974-1992). Annual report. Singapore: Eu Yan Sang Holdings.
(Call no.: RCLOS 338.86095957 EY)

Song, O. S. (1984). One hundred years' history of the Chinese in Singapore (pp. 332-333). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 SON)

Singapore Chronicles: A special commemorative history of Singapore (pp. 108-113). (1995). Hong Kong: Illustrated Magazine.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SIN)

Who's who in Malaya (pp. 69-70). (1925). Singapore: [s.n.].
(Call no.: RCLOS 920.0595 WHO) 

Further Reading

Sharp, Ilsa. (2009). Path of the righteous crane :  the life and legacy of Eu Tong Sen.  Singapore :  Landmark Books.
(Call no.: RSING 338.7616151092 SHA)





The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Community leaders
Eu Tong Sen, 1877-1941
Businessmen--Singapore--Biography
Philanthropists--Singapore--Biography
People and communities>>Social groups and communities
Business, finance and industry>>Industry>>Healthcare and medicine

Librarian Recommendations
>> Eu Tong Sen Street
>> Majestic Theatre


All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2005.