Louis T. Leonowens

Common card · No. 322557

Louis Thomas Gunnis Leonowens (25 October 1856 – 17 February 1919) was a British subject who grew up and worked in Siam (now Thailand). Leonowens served as an officer in the Siamese Royal Cavalry, an agent for the Borneo Company in the teak trade of Northern Thailand, and founded a Thai trading company that still bears his name, Louis T. Leonowens Ltd. Louis Leonowens was born to Anna Leonowens in Western Australia and spent time as a child in Penang and Singapore before his mother was invited to teach English to King Mongkut's children in Siam. From age seven he spent six years in Siam and made close friendships with Mongkut and his heir, Prince Chulalongkorn. After spending time in Ireland, the United States, and Australia, he returned to Siam where he became an officer before joining the Borneo Company in its teak trade. As an agent for the Borneo Company, Leonowens became quite influential over the teak trade and became well-liked by the local inhabitants and the local kings. He protected...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Roderick Eime from Australia, CC BY 2.0