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Anna Leonowens: Schoolmistress at the Court of Siam, Wisconsin

Shane Blair

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Published in Masked: The Life Of Anna Leonowens Schoolmistress At The Court Of Siam (Wisconsin Studies In Autobiography)

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Anna Leonowens was a British schoolmistress who taught the children of King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand) in the 1860s. Her life story was the inspiration for the popular musical and film The King and I.

Leonowens was born in Wales in 1831. She was the daughter of a British army officer and an Indian princess. Leonowens's father died when she was young, and her mother remarried a wealthy merchant. Leonowens spent her early years in India, where she received a private education.

Masked: The Life of Anna Leonowens, Schoolmistress at the Court of Siam (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography)

by Alfred Habegger

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	543 pages

In 1849, Leonowens married Thomas Leonowens, a British army surgeon. The couple had two children, but their marriage was unhappy. In 1859, Thomas Leonowens died of cholera in Singapore. Leonowens was left alone with two young children.

In 1862, Leonowens accepted a position as governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam. She arrived in Bangkok in 1863 and began teaching the king's children English and other subjects.

Leonowens quickly became a favorite of the king. She was intelligent, well-educated, and had a strong personality. Leonowens also had a deep respect for Siamese culture and customs. She learned to speak Thai fluently and adopted many Siamese customs.

Leonowens taught the king's children for five years. During that time, she also wrote several books about her experiences in Siam. These books were published in England and the United States and became very popular.

In 1868, Leonowens left Siam and returned to England. She continued to write and lecture about her experiences in Siam. Leonowens died in 1915 at the age of 83.

Anna Leonowens was a remarkable woman who lived a life of adventure and accomplishment. She was a pioneer in the field of education and a tireless advocate for the rights of women. Her life story is an inspiration to all who dare to dream big.

Anna Leonowens's Impact on Wisconsin

Anna Leonowens's impact on Wisconsin can be seen in the many schools and libraries that bear her name. There are Anna Leonowens schools in Milwaukee, Madison, and Racine. There are also Anna Leonowens libraries in Milwaukee and Madison.

The Anna Leonowens School in Milwaukee is a public elementary school that was founded in 1893. The school is named after Leonowens in recognition of her work as a pioneer in the field of education.

The Anna Leonowens Library in Milwaukee is a public library that was founded in 1915. The library is named after Leonowens in recognition of her contributions to literature and her work as an advocate for the rights of women.

Anna Leonowens's legacy continues to inspire people in Wisconsin today. Her schools and libraries are a testament to her dedication to education and her commitment to making a difference in the world.

Leonowens's impact on Wisconsin can be seen in the many schools and libraries that bear her name. These schools and libraries are a testament to her dedication to education and her commitment to making a difference in the world.

Masked: The Life of Anna Leonowens, Schoolmistress at the Court of Siam (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography)

by Alfred Habegger

4.5 out of 5