Singapore, Founding of

To many, the name Raffles is synonymous with Singapore. A statue of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles stands at the Singapore River, where he is thought to have first landed in Singapore on 29 January 1819. Another stands in front of Singapore's Victoria Memorial Hall, a venue for arts and music performances. Among Singapore's landmarks—and nationally preserved monuments—is the Raffles Hotel. The Raffles Hotel group owns two other hotels—the Stamford and Raffles the Plaza, situated across the street. Singapore's second institute of higher learning, providing studies in the arts and sciences, was named Raffles College. One primary school, two secondary schools, a junior college, and some private schools have been named after Raffles. Streets and places with the Raffles name include Raffles Avenue, Raffles Place, Raffles Boulevard, Raffles Link, Raffles Quay, and Raffles Institution Lane.

Such social esteem is attached to Raffles's name that commercial organizations large and small have capitalized on it. Singapore Airlines' business class is named Raffles Class. Also named after Raffles are Raffles City (a shopping and office complex), Raffles Hospital and Raffles Medical Group, Raffles Marina, and Raffles Town Club. A search of Singapore's business directory reveals eighty businesses and organizations ranging from a dry cleaner and a dental clinic to a florist and photographers, all named Raffles.

Most Singaporeans acknowledge Sir Thomas [Page 1424]Stamford Raffles (1781–1826) as the founder of Singapore. What did Raffles do to earn the title of founder, and are there others who may be considered founders of Singapore as well? According to Professor Ernest Chew, one of Singapore's foremost local historians, there are at least two other contenders for the title: Major William Farquhar (1774–1836), who accompanied Raffles on his first visit to Singapore and was appointed Singapore's first Resident; and Dr. John Crawfurd (1783–1868), who succeeded Farquhar as Resident of Singapore. We shall now survey the events leading to the founding of Singapore, and examine the respective roles of Raffles, Farquhar, and Crawfurd.