Aw Boon Haw

Aw Boon Haw

Guide Index

Introduction

Aw Boon Haw (胡文虎; 1882﹘1954), whose name means gentle tiger, was also nicknamed the Tiger Balm King. He is known for establishing the Chinese cure-all ointment, Tiger Balm, and for building a business empire around it. His other contributions include Haw Par Villa (also known as Tiger Balm Gardens) in Singapore, as well as setting up the local Chinese newspaper, Sin Chew Jit Poh. Aw was a philanthropist, funding the construction of schools, hospitals, maternity clinics, orphanages and homes for the aged.

Selected books on Aw Boon Haw

  • 柯木林. (主编). [Ke, M. L. (Ed.).] (1995). 新华历史人物列传 [Who’s who in the Chinese community of Singapore]. 新加坡: 教育出版公司, p. 141. Call no.: RSING 959.570092 WHO-[HIS]. The book contains the biographies of 1,175 Chinese personalities, including Aw Boon Haw, in Singapore from the period 1819 to 1990. Each biography comprises the birth and death dates, dialect group, occupation and affiliated organisations of the Chinese personality.

  • 方百成, 杜南发. (编委主任). [Fang, B. C. & Du, N. F. (Eds.)]. (2012). 世界福建名人录, 新加坡编. [Prominent figures of the world Fujian communities: Singapore]. 新加坡: 新加坡福建会馆, pp. 150 – 151. Call no.: RSING 920.05957 PRO The book features the biographies of 155 Hokkien personalities, including Aw Boon Haw, in Singapore from the period 1819 to 2012.

  • Sim, V. (Ed.). (1950). Biographies of prominent Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Nan Kok Publication, p. 4. Call no.: RCLOS 920.05957 SIM Published in 1950, this book presents the biographies of prominent Chinese in Singapore published, including Aw Boon Haw.

  • Mulliner, K., & The-Mulliner, L. (1991). Tiger Balm king. Singapore: Times Books International, p. 19. Call no.: RSING 338.04092 KIN One of the greatest philanthropists of his time, this book is a look into the life and times of pre-war tycoon, Aw Boon Haw.

  • Koh, T. T. B., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet in association with the National Heritage Board, p. 51. Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS]. This 640-page encyclopedia about Singapore is a comprehensive look into the nation, covering its history, geography, arts and politics – as well as Aw Boon Haw’s biography.

  • Toh, P. C. S. (1994). Legend from a jar: The story of Haw Par: Haw Par Brothers International Limited’s 25th anniversary commemorative book. Singapore: Haw Par Brothers International, p. 20. Call no.: RSING 338.8809 HAW This publication commemorates the 25th anniversary of Haw Par Brothers International Limited, tracing its journey from a humble jar of balm, to a thriving family business, and finally, to a diversified public company.

Selected articles on Aw Boon Haw

  • National Library Board. (2005). Aw Boon Haw written by Tan, Bonny. Retrieved from Infopedia. The article describes Aw Boon Haw’s early life, accomplishments and family from 1882 to 1954.

Selected newspaper articles on Aw Boon Haw

  • Lifestyle of The Tiger was a walking advertisement. (1998, October 25). The Straits Times, p. 39. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This article profiles Aw Boon Haw and how he turned his balm into a successful business.

  • Chen, K. (1998, October 25). Was Aw a Japanese collaborator? The Straits Times, p. 39. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Professor Sherman Cochran of Cornell University explores if Aw Boon Haw was a Japanese collaborator during World War II through his research conducted at the National University of Singapore.

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Cheang Hong Lim