David Saul Marshall 1st Chief Minister of Singapore In office 6 April 1954 – 7 June 1956 Governor Sir John Fearns Nicoll (1952–55) Sir William Goode (1955) Sir Robert Brown Black (1955–57) Preceded by Newly Created Succeeded by Lim Yew Hock Member of Legislative Assembly for Cairnhill In office 2 April 1955 – 29 April 1957 Preceded by New Seat Succeeded by Soh Ghee Soon Member of the Legislative Assembly for Anson In office 15 July 1961 – 3 September 1963 Preceded by Mohammed Baharuddin Ariff Succeeded by Govindaswamy Perumal Personal details Born 12 March 1908 Straits Settlements (Singapore) Died 12 December 1995(1995-12-12) (aged 87) Singapore Cause of death Lung Cancer Nationality Singaporean Political party Labour Front (1954–1957) Workers' Party of Singapore (1957–1963) Independent (1963–1995) Spouse(s) Jean Mary Gray Children Jonathan Mark Ruth Ann Sarah Farha Joanna Tamar [1] Alma mater University of London Profession Politician and diplomat