Anna and the King of Siam

Margaret Landon lived as a missionary in Siam (now Thailand) where she became fascinated with the story of Anna Leonowens, the Englishwoman who was hired as a governess by King Mongkut of Sima in the 1860s. Engaged to teach his many children and favourite concubines, Anna also helped the King write his extraordinary letters to foreign rulers and diplomats. She was instrumental in the education of the young prince who eventually became Thailand's most progressive king, and, inspired by Anna's anti-slavery teachings, abolished slavery and instituted many radical reforms in a country that was slowly dragging itself into the twentieth century.