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National Library Reference Guides

Tan Yeok Seong

Explore books, articles, and newspaper pieces about Tan Yeok Seong, a historian and collector who donated his private book collection to the National Library of Singapore in 1964.

Last updated 22 July 2026

Introduction

Tan Yeok Seong (陈育崧; 1903–1984) was a historian specialising in Southeast Asia and a collector of books and historical artefacts. Educated at Amoy University (now known as Xiamen University, China), Tan was well versed in both English and Chinese. With experience gained as an inspector of Chinese schools with the Education Department of the Straits Settlements in Penang and a study trip to Shanghai, Tan ventured into the publishing business. In 1935, he set up Nanyang Book Company with some friends. In 1938, Tan left his government post and concentrated on producing textbooks that catered to the needs of Chinese schools in Malaya. He became the supervising director of Nanyang Book Company in 1941.

He donated his private collection of books and periodicals to the National Library of Singapore in 1964. He passed away on 1 April 1984, aged 81.

Selected books on Tan Yeok Seong

  • 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. 83. Call no.: RSING 959.570092 WHO-[HIS]. The book contains the biographies of 1,175 Chinese personalities in Singapore, covering the period from 1819 to 1990. Each biography contains the birth and death dates, dialect group, occupation and affiliated organisations of the Chinese personality. Tan Yeok Seong’s biography is also included.

  • 方百成, 杜南发. (编委主任). [Fang, B. C. and Du, N. F. (Ed.).] (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, p. 73. Call no.: RSING 920.05957 PRO. The book contains the biographies of 155 Chinese Hokkien personalities in Singapore, covering the period from 1819 to 2012. Tan Yeok Seong’s biography is also included.

  • Sim, V. (Ed.). (1950). Biographies of prominent Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Nan Kok Publication, p. 62. Call no.: RCLOS 920.05957 SIM. This book, published in 1950, contains the biographies of prominent Chinese personalities in Singapore. Tan Yeok Seong’s biography is also included.

  • Tan, A. T. H. (2006). The life of Tan Yeok Seong. In Catalogue of the Ya Yin Kwan Collection in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Singapore: National Library Board, p. 13. Call no.: RSING q338.092 TAN. This book is a useful guide to the titles donated to the National Library of Singapore by Tan Yeok Seong. The article “The life of Tan Yeok Seong” was written by his son Mr Alex Tan.

  • Tan, Y. S. (1947). History of the formation of the Oversea Chinese Association and the extortion by J.M.A. of $50,000,000 military contribution from the Chinese in Malaya. Singapore: Nanyang Book Co. Call no.: RCLOS 940.53109595 TAN. This paper, written by Tan Yeok Seong, described the history of the formation of the Overseas Chinese Association and the extortion by Japanese Military Administration of $50,000,000 from the Chinese in Malaya during World War II.

  • Tan, Y. S. (1948). Preliminary report on the discovery of the hoard of Hindu religious objects, near Sambas, West Borneo. Singapore: Nanyang Book Co., p. 1. Call no.: RCLOS 991.1 TAN. This report, written by Tan Yeok Seong, is an important guide to the history of Indian influence in the Far East.

Selected articles on Tan Yeok Seong

  • Tan, Andrew (2016). Tan Yeok Seong. Retrieved from Infopedia. This infopedia article describes Tan Yeok Seong’s early life to his contributions from 1903 to 1984.

Selected newspaper articles on Tan Yeok Seong

  • [Untitled]. (1984, April 2). The Straits Times, p. 23. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. An obituary of Tan Yeok Seong in English. He passed away on 1 April 1984 at age 81.

  • Teo, H. W. (1984, April 5). History lives for him. The Straits Times, p. 2; Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This is a short write-up to commemorate the memory of Tan Yeok Seong who passed away in 1984.

  • Teo, H. W. (1983, November 7). Gift for historian on his 80th birthday. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This article reports that Tan Yeok Seong had donated 10,000 volumes of what he called his “gems” to the National Library of Singapore in 1964.

  • Leading scholar Tan dies at 81. (1984, April 3). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This is a short write-up on Tan Yeok Seong’s family members, his research interests and his donation to the National Library of Singapore.