Lee Kong Chian
李光前 | |
Born | |
Died | 2 June 1967 | (aged 73)
Other names | Lee Geok Kun |
Known for | Philanthropic work |
Spouse | Tan Ai Leh |
Children | 6 (including Lee Seng Tee and Lee Seng Wee) |
Parent | Lee Kuo Chuan (father) |
Relatives | Tan Kah Kee (father-in-law) |
Lee Kong Chian | ||||||||||||||
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Chinese | 李光前 | |||||||||||||
Hokkien POJ | Lí Kong-chiân | |||||||||||||
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Lee Geok Kun | ||||||||||||||
Chinese | 李玉昆 | |||||||||||||
Hokkien POJ | Lí Gio̍k-kun | |||||||||||||
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Early life and career
Lee was born in Furong Village in Nan'an, Fujian, towards the end of the Qing dynasty. His father was Lee Kuo Chuan (simplified Chinese: 李国专; traditional Chinese: 李國專; pinyin: Lǐ Guózhuān; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lí Kok-choan).
Lee received his early education in private schools in his hometown. In 1903, at the age of 10, he came to Singapore, then a British colony, to join his father. He studied at the defunct Anglo-Tamil School, and Chung Cheng High School.
Lee returned to the Qing dynasty in 1909 to complete his education under a scholarship, but had to end it in 1911 when the
Upon returning to Singapore, Lee worked as a teacher at
Business career
Seven years later, Lee set up his own rubber smoking house in
Lee also went into banking. He was vice-chairman of Chinese Commercial Bank (CCB) and played a central role in facilitating the merger of the Oversea-Chinese Bank, the Ho Hong Bank and the CCB to form the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) in 1932, becoming the largest bank in Singapore. Lee served OCBC as vice-chairman from 1932, and assumed chairmanship of OCBC in 1938, holding this post until his death in 1967.[1][6]
Philanthropy
Like Tan Kah Kee, Lee poured his wealth into education and other philanthropic efforts.[7] He set up the Lee Foundation in Singapore and Malaya in 1952 and 1960 respectively. In 1965, the Lee Foundation Limited was established in Hong Kong.
Lee also spearheaded free public library services for Singapore when he donated S$375,000 through the Lee Foundation to allow the Singapore Government to build the Old National Library building at Stamford Road. The old building was eventually demolished and replaced by a much larger new building, a project that also received substantial financial backing from the foundation. The reference library that occupies the 7th to 13th floors of the new building was named in his honour.[8]
Education
Lee had a particular interest in the field of education and various institutions have been beneficiaries of donations from him or the Lee Foundation, including Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore, Anglo-Chinese School, St. Margaret's Secondary School, Methodist Girls' School, Singapore Chinese Girls' School, Tao Nan School and Anglican High School. After his death, the foundation continued this legacy and expanded into funding scholarships and bursaries offered by both educational institutions and government agencies.
In 1934, Lee became the chairman of the Board of Directors of
Later life
Lee's work and generous contributions to education and society were recognised. He was conferred an honorary
Legacy
Lee died in 1967 and is survived by three sons and three daughters.[10]
Places named after Lee Kong Chian
- Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Wing, University Hall, National University of Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Centre for Mathematical Research, National University of Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University[11]
- Lee Kong Chian Lecture Theatre, Nanyang Technological University
- Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University[12]
- Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKCFES), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
- Tan Sri Lee Kong Chian Hall, Methodist College Kuala Lumpur
- Lee Kong Chian Gardens School, LGS-MINDS
- Lee Kong Chian Library, Anglican High School
- Lee Kong Chian Auditorium, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
- Kong Chian Administration Centre, Hwa Chong Institution
- Kong Chen Hall, Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur
- Kong Chian Hall, SJK (C) Cheng Siu 1
- Kong Chian Hall, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
- Kong Chien Hall, Foon Yew High School, Johor Bahru[13]
- Kong Chian Hall, Singapore [Chung Cheng High School (Main), Singapore]
- Kong Chian Hall, Nan Chiau High School
- Kong Chian Library, Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section)
Places named after Lee Kong Chian's father
There are also some places named after Lee's father, Lee Kuo Chuan, including:
- Kuo Chuan Avenue, a road in Singapore's Marine Parade district
- Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
- Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School
- Heritage Centre, Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section), previously known as Kuo Chuan Art Centre
- Lee Kuo Chuan Stadium, Anglican High School
- Lee Kuo Chuan Hall, Church of the Ascension Singapore
- SRJK (C) Kuo Kuang (国光国民型华文小学) No. 1 and SRJK (C) Kuo Kuang No. 2 - Two Chinese medium primary school in Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, named after the combination of middle names of Lee 'Kuo' Chuan and Lee 'Kong' (Kuang) Chian.
Honours
Honours of Malaysia
- Malaysia :
- Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (1964)[14]
- Kelantan :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (SJMK) – Dato' (1959)[15]
- Johor :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato’ (1960)[16]
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (DPMJ) – Dato’ (1957)
References
- ^ a b "OCBC - About Us - Group Business - Milestones". www.ocbc.com. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ "GOING ON TRIP ROUND THE WORLD". The Straits Times. 11 August 1935. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "LEE KONG CHUN TO BE NEW VARSITY'S FIRST CHANCELLOR". Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ISBN 9789814345217.
- ^ "Publisher George Lee dies, aged 69". The Straits Times. 12 October 1965. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Lee Kong Chian". National Library Board - Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Giving to the School". Lee Kong Chian School of Business. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "Lee Kong Chian Reference Library". National Library Board.
- ^ Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman. "Lee Kong Chian". Singapore Infopedia. Singapore National Library Board. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "Lee Kong Chian dies at 75". The Straits Times. 3 June 1967. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Lee Kong Chian - School of Medicine".
- ^ "Lee Kong Chian School of Business".
- ^ "诚邀出席庚子年校友回校新春团拜" (in Chinese).
- ^ "SEMAKAN PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT". Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia). Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "About Lee Kong Chian – Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering & Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman". lkcfes.utar.edu.my. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- OCLC 556448185. Retrieved 1 February 2021.