Baron / Lord Michael Chan of Singapore (origin)

A couple of weeks ago, i went to the National Portrait Gallery to have a look-see. apart from the famous history book cover photo of Sir Stamford Raffles which was wasting away in a corner of the NPG, i really didn't know most of the 'famous' people whose portraits were there.

there was one photograph in the lower floors, however, that captured my attention - partly because it was quite small, partly because it was the lone asian (oriental) face in a sea of white caucasian historical figures.

His name is Michael Chan Chew Koon, a.k.a Baron Chan of Oxton in the Country of Merseyside.

What intrigued me was the writeup that followed - apart from listing milestones like his education, medical career, and political credentials as a member of the House of Lords, it also stated that he was the first Chinese to be elevated to the House of Lords in 2001. AND he's a Singaporean.

WOW. i didn't know a Singaporean was ever on the House of Lords! how cool is that..i is proud!

well anyway while surfing for a picture of him on the net, i found that he passed away on 21 Jan 2006, at the age of 66.



you can read about him here: http://lordmichaelchewkoonchan.liferecorded.com/

and this is a link to his obituary in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1708226,00.html