Anna Harriette Leonowens

Anna Harriette Leonowens (original name Crawford, 1834-1914), was the British writer best known as the governess employed by King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam (now Thailand) for the instruction of his children. At an early age Anna went to Asia, and there she married Major Thomas Lewis Leonowens of the Indian army. After the major died in 1858, she lived in Singapore with her two children until she was invited by King Mongkut in 1862 to serve as governess to the royal children. For five years she...See more

Anna Harriette Leonowens (original name Crawford, 1834-1914), was the British writer best known as the governess employed by King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam (now Thailand) for the instruction of his children. At an early age Anna went to Asia, and there she married Major Thomas Lewis Leonowens of the Indian army. After the major died in 1858, she lived in Singapore with her two children until she was invited by King Mongkut in 1862 to serve as governess to the royal children. For five years she was part of the royal household in Bangkok. After leaving Siam she wrote two books, The English Governess at the Siamese Court (1870) and The Romance of the Harem (1872). See less