A prominent businessman, philanthropist and community leader, Eu Tong Sen was the son of a leading miner in Perak and founder of the well-known traditional Chinese medicine business, Eu Yan Sang. Born in Penang and educated in China, Eu Tong Sen took over his father’s business at the age of 21 and expanded it to include investments in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong. He became one of the region’s wealthiest persons by the age of 30 and he contributed generously to several causes, including education—notably to Raffles College (which later became National University of Singapore) and University of Hong Kong. He was also an active political and community leader, representing the Chinese on the Federal Council in the Federated Malay States and taking on the role of Vice-President in the Anti-Opium Society.
