Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles

His Life in Singapore - 1819 to 1823

Dear Readers,

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles’s foundational strategy for establishing a British settlement in Singapore in early 1819 hinged on timing on the one hand, opportunity and Malay dynastic succession, convention and politics on the other hand, to stifle and circumnavigate any potential Dutch claim to sovereignty. How he did all this in a relatively short time, after setting foot on Singapore soil, is something we will examine and discuss.

The text of the treaty signed in 1819, emphasized mutual friendship with local rulers and the development of free trade. It stipulated that British merchants would be allowed to reside and trade freely in Singapore, and that the British East India Company would protect the Sultan and Temenggong from external threats. The British presence installed by Raffles provided a semblance of governance, stability and a sense of security for the Sultan and Temenggong.

The concept of free trade acted as a catalyst and spurred Singapore’s growth. It attracted an inflow of settlers, migrants, traders and in turn seeded an ecosystem that grew and evolved. In a letter to the Duchess of Somerset of 11 June 1819, Raffles indicated that from a population of under 1000 in February 1819, he estimated that the population had grown to about 5000 by the middle of 1819. Trade was a driver of income and growth for Singapore. Trade remains important to Singapore today.

Sir Stamford identified Fort Canning Hill (then known as ‘Bukit Larangan’) as the site for his residence in Singapore in 1819, He created a landscaped space on Fort Canning that would serve both practical and scholarly purposes. His concept for a botanical garden on the hill to be a repository of useful plants for agriculture and commerce, a centre for botanical experimentation, and a site for aesthetic enjoyment and public instruction. This concept remains one of Sir Stamford’s key contributions to Singapore.

Raffles founded Singapore Institution which was renamed Raffles Institution. The founding of Raffles Institution in 1823 reflected Sir Stamford’s enduring commitment to the principles of knowledge, inclusion, and progress. Though his original plan encountered setbacks, the foundations he laid both physically and philosophically endured and evolved. Raffles Institution has since educated and nurtured many of Singapore’s key and eminent leaders including Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, and his immediate successor Mr. Goh Chok Tong, amongst others.

One of Sir Stamford’s enduring contributions to Singapore was his clear and structured vision for the town’s physical development. This vision culminated in what is widely known as the Raffles Town Plan of 1822, which he worked on with Lieutenant Jackson.

Professionally, many of his initiatives and actions were driven by duty and purpose in the interests of the British empire. From the moment that Raffles set foot on Singapore soil, Raffles negotiated with local rulers to secure British rights, set up a trading port in Singapore, conceptualised and implemented the Town Plan, established the botanic gardens on Fort Canning hill (which was later moved to Tanglin), founded Raffles Institution and donated 2000 Spanish dollars for its inception. These amongst other supporting initiatives laid the foundation for growth in Singapore. Join me in celebrating Sir Stamford’s life and contribution to Singapore.

Thank you for getting my book and I hope you will enjoy it.

Warm regards,
Gerald Chew