Tuanku received his primary education at the Jempol Malay School and secondary education at the Malay College between 1907 and 1914. He then worked at the Federal Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur for a year before being appointed as Assistant Collector of Land Revenue in Seremban. He served in the Malayan Volunteer Infantry as a Second Lieutenant, and was later promoted to Lieutenant ranking in 1918.
Tuanku advanced in his early career through his appointment as Assistant Malay Officer in Klang, before being transferred to Sepang. He was then assigned to work in Ulu Selangor as Assistant Collector of Land Revenue. As a result of his hard work, perseverance and dilligence, he was soon promoted to Assistant District Officer. The turning point of his career was in 1925, when he served for a short period in the Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court.
After accompanying his father to the United Kingdom in 1925, he developed a keen interest to read Law, and subsequently completed his Law degree there. He stayed on to qualify as a barrister from the Inner Temple and was admitted to the bar three years later. In London, Tuanku was elected as the first President of the Kesatuan Melayu United Kingdom, one of the earliest Malay nationalist groups.
Upon returning to Malaya in December 1928, he served the Malayan Civil Service in various parts of the country. For the first few years, he worked hard to become a Magistrate. In due time, he was appointed District Officer.
On the death of his father, HRH Tuanku Muhammad, on August 3rd, 1933, Tuanku Abdul Rahman was elected Yang di-Pertuan Besar by the four Undang or Ruling Chieftains of Negeri Sembilan. At that time, he was already an advocate, hence making him the only Malay ruler with an advocate and solicitor’s qualifications.
Tuanku was installed as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya on the 13th of September 1957 in the throne room of Istana Negara.
In honour of Tuanku Abdul Rahman, all subsequent Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia have also used the Royal headdress Dendam Tak Sudah, the fashion employed in Negeri Sembilan. All Malaysian currency notes also carry Tuanku Abdul Rahman’s portrait on the obverse side, depicting his democratic reign as the First Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman passed away peacefully in his sleep at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur on the morning of April 1, 1960. The lying in state was held at the Banquet Hall of the Istana Negara the same day, and a state funeral procession was held in Kuala Lumpur the day after. Tuanku’s teak coffin was then taken by train to Seremban and later by hearse to the Istana Besar Seri Menanti. Tuanku Abdul Rahman was buried at the Royal Mausoleum in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan on April 5, 1960.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman left behind eight children:
- Tunku Aidah
- Tuanku Munawir
- Tuanku Ja’afar
- Tunku Sheilah
- Tunku Abdullah
- Tuanku Bahiyah
- Tuanku Shahariah
- Tunku Noraidah Zakiah