William H. Read

William Henry Macleod Read, K.C.N.L., C.M.G., affectionately known as WH, (b. 7 February 1819, Scotland - d. 10 May 1907, England) was an established businessman and an active contributor to political and social interests, in the almost 46 years of his life in Singapore, Treasurer of the first Singapore public library and Honorary Police Magistrate. He was one of the strongest advocates of Singapore's independence. He wrote a book, Play and Politics, Recollections of Malaya by an Old Resident which was published in London in 1901. Read Bridge and Read Street are named after him.

Early life
Son of Christopher Rideout Read, co-partner of A. L. Johnston & Company, he came to Singapore on 12 September 1841 to join and takeover his father's company, Singapore's leading merchant house of the day. When his father retired and returned to England in 1842, William Read became co-partner, and when Alexander Laurie Johnston retired, he continued as its head until he himself retired to England in 1887.

He could write and speak fluent French. Known by his good friends as WH, when he first came to Singapore, his residence was at Battery Road, then he moved to Beach Road, and then to the old nutmeg estate, which is now the location of the Istana.

He was highly active in social and public affairs, and commercial life. He was also a generous donor to education, religious and social institutions. He was one of the early political agitators for the transfer of the Straits Settlements from British India control, to the Colonial Office in London.

Accomplishments
23 Feb 1843 : As an excellent amateur jockey, won the first prize, Singapore Cup and $150 money at Singapore's first derby.
Mar 1843 : Organised Singapore's first Regatta.
1844 : Treasurer of the first Singapore public library, housed in the Singapore Institution, the beginnings of Raffles Library, which later became the National Library.
1845 : Involvement with Freemasonry, made him the second person to be initiated into the first Masonic Lodge Zetland in the East and soon became their Worshipful Master.
27 Mar 1846 : Elected Trustee (and for many years) of the Singapore Institution (later renamed Raffles Institution). Also elected to the committee of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, and later became its chairman.
May 1851: Started the first Sailors' Home and was appointed Honorary Secretary
5 May 1854 - 17 May 1854 : First Special Constable during the riots between the Hokkien and Cantonese clans, was able to get well-known trouble-makers to settle matters peacefully. On 24 May, as Worshipful Master, he officiated the Masonic religious ceremony for the laying of the Foundation Stone of Raffles Lighthouse. 8 July, he was first to join the Straits Settlements Volunteer Corps and remained active for 25 years.
1857 : Made Consul for Holland in Singapore, the first such appointment.
1859 : Served as sponsor, amateur actor and President of the Corps Dramatique.
1865 : Chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce.
1867 : Became the first non-council member of the Legislative Council, at the transfer of the Straits Settlements from British India control to direct Crown control.
1868 : First elected Chairman of the Singapore branch of the Straits Settlements Association
1873 : As leader of the Freemasons' Eastern Archipelago, District Grand Lodge, on 29 March, the Right Worshipful District Grand Master W. H. Read officiated the ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the Clyde Terrace Market.
Feb 1886 : Awarded the title, Companion of the Order of St. Michael & St. George (C.M.G.), by Queen Victoria.
28 Feb 1887 : Laid the first cylinder for Read Bridge. Retired and returned to England in this year.
1901 : His book, Play and Politics, Recollections of Malaya by an Old Resident, published in London.

Among other firsts, he became Honorary Police Magistrate, and was the President of the Municipality. He was made Consul for the Netherlands, 1857 to 1885 for which he was awarded the title, Knight Commander of the Netherlands Lion (K.C.N.L).

On 28 February 1887, after almost 46 years in Singapore, he finally returned to England. In 1901. The book he wrote, Play and Politics, Recollections of Malaya by an Old Resident, dedicated to Sir Andrew Clarke, former Governor of the Straits Settlements, was published by Wells Gardner & Co., in London.

He died on 10 May 1909, aged 91. In 1910, the Governor unveiled a memorial tablet to the memory of William Henry Macleod Read in St. Andrew's Cathedral, for his outstanding contributions to Singapore. This tablet dedication can be still seen on the left side, behind the main entrance door of the church.

Publication
Play and politics recollections of Malaya by an old resident. (1901). London: W.Gardner Darton
(Call no.: RRARE 959 503 REA)



Author
Vernon Cornelius-Takahama, 2000



References 
Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore: 1819-1867 (pp. 135, 367-369). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC)

Edwards, N. & Keys, P. (1988). Singapore: A guide to buildings, streets, places (p. 506). Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 EDW)

Freemasons. (1873). Ceremony of layaing the foundation stone of the Clyde Terrace Market, at Singapore, the 29th day of March 1873, by the Rt. Worshipful, the District Grand Master, W. H. Read [Microfilm: NL 5876]. Singapore: Straits Times Press.
(Call no.: RSEA 959.51 FRE)

Turnbull, C. M. (1995). Dateline Singapore: 150 years of the Straits Times (pp. 22-35, 45-46). Singapore: Times Editions: Singapore Press Holdings
(Call no.: RSING 079.5957 TUR)

Turnbull, C. M. (1972). The Straits Settlements 1826-1867: Indian presidency to crown colony (pp. 24-25, 321-322). London: Athlone Press
(Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 TUR) 

Tyers, R. K. (1993). Ray Tyers' Singapore: Then and now (p. 26). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TYE)



The information in this article is valid as at 2000 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Colonial Administrators
Colonial administrators--Singapore
Pioneers--Singapore
People and communities>>Social groups and communities

Librarian Recommendations
>> Raffles Lighthouse Foundation Stone
>> Read Bridge
>> Sir Andrew Clarke


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