Thomas Shelford (23 November 1839 - 12 January 1900) was a merchant and a member of the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements and the Municipal Commission of Singapore.
Early life edit
Shelford was born in Cosford, West Suffolk on 23 November 1839.[1]
Career edit
He came to Singapore in 1863 or 1864 due to his poor health. He was then employed at Paterson, Simons & Co. as a junior assistant, and eventually became a partner of the firm.[1][2] In 1867, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of Raffles Institution.[3]
In June 1872, he was made an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Singapore, and served on the council for around 25 years.[1][2] In 1887, Shelford, Charles Burton Buckley and John Cuthbertson contributed funds to convert The Singapore Free Press from a weekly publication to a daily publication.[1] He was a member of the Municipal Commission of Singapore, and retired from the commission in December 1893.[4]
In 1892, he was conferred the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[5] In 1895, he was nominated a Municipal Commission of Singapore representing Rochor Ward.[6] He was also on the board of trustees of the Raffles Library and Museum.[1]
Personal life and death edit
Shelford married twice and had several children,[1] including Robert Shelford, William Heard Shelford and Thomas L. Shelford.[7][8][9] In 1897, he and his family returned to England as his second wife and his children could not adapt to life in Singapore.[1]
He died of Influenza at his residence in Guildford on 12 January 1900.[2] A full-length portrait of him was unveiled at Singapore City Hall on 10 June 1901.[10] Shelford Road was named after him in 1941.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tan, Bonny. "Thomas Shelford". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "THE LATE MR. SHELFORD". The Straits Times. Singapore. 13 January 1900. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "MR. THOMAS SHELFORD, c.m.g." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). Singapore. 15 January 1900. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "The Municipal Elections". The Straits Times Weekly Issue. Singapore. 14 November 1893. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "The Hon'ble T. Sheflord, c.m.g. (May 26th)". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). Singapore. 31 May 1892. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 26 November 1895. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "LATE MR. R. SHELFORD". The Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. Singapore. 26 July 1912. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "ONE OF S.S. "COMMERCIAL GIANTS" PASSES". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 10 June 1937. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "THE LATE CAPT. T.L. SHELFORD. R.N." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 19 June 1915. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Memorial Portrait of the late Mr. Shelford". The Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. Singapore. 15 June 1901. Retrieved 30 March 2023.