Tun Syed Sheh was born on 10 November 1906 in Alor Star, Kedah. He received his education at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College (SAHC) before continuing his studies in England sponsored by the Kedah State Government's scholarship. He was accepted to read law at the Inner Temple. In 1934, he graduated with a LL.B degree.

Career

• Magistrate, Registrar and Chief Magistrate. He was the first Malaysian to hold all three important posts in the legal service in this country.
• Special Magistrate (April 1946)
• President, Kedah Sessions Court in the Colonial Legal Service (1948)
• Judge, Seremban Court (October 1955 - June 1958)
• Judge, Court of Appeal (1962)
• Chief Judge of Malaya (1963)
• The first Lord President of Malaya (1 June 1966) and retired on 10 September 1966
• Government Administrative Officer, Penang
• Senator (December 1968)
• Yang Di-Pertua Dewan Negara (27 January 1969)
• The fourth Governor of Penang on February 1969 and served for two terms until February 1975.

As tribute to his contributions and services, he was bestowed several
honours and awards; Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara Seri Setia Mahkota (S.S.M.) which carries the title Tun, the Darjah Panglima Mangku Negara (P.M.N.) by His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong, the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negara (D.U.P.N.) first class from the Penang Government, the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Kedah (S.P.M.K.) first class, and the Pingat Sultan Badlishah (P.S.B.) from the Sultan of Kedah. Tun Syed Syeh passed away on the 8th of October 1975, in Alor Star, Kedah.