King of Siam. Considered one of the great kings of the Chakri Dynasty, he ascended the throne in 1851 after the death of Rama III, his half-brother. Having served as a Buddhist monk and scholar for 27 years, Prince Mongkut had traveled far and wide across Siam and became highly educated in many fields, including astronomy, English and Latin. Upon becoming king, his official name became Phra Chom Klao, but he was still known as Mongkut to Westerners. King Mongkut was a strong advocate of modernization and of learning from other cultures, starting a modernization program that was carried on to great success by his son Chulalongkorn. He hired foreign tutors to teach his children, including Anna Leonowens. One of his last official duties was hosting a group of overseas astronomers in viewing a total solar eclipse which the King had successfully calculated would move across southern Siam on a specific date. Unfortunately, he contracted malaria during the expedition, and died shortly thereafter. His ashes are interred at Wat Ratchapradit in Bangkok.
King of Siam. Considered one of the great kings of the Chakri Dynasty, he ascended the throne in 1851 after the death of Rama III, his half-brother. Having served as a Buddhist monk and scholar for 27 years, Prince Mongkut had traveled far and wide across Siam and became highly educated in many fields, including astronomy, English and Latin. Upon becoming king, his official name became Phra Chom Klao, but he was still known as Mongkut to Westerners. King Mongkut was a strong advocate of modernization and of learning from other cultures, starting a modernization program that was carried on to great success by his son Chulalongkorn. He hired foreign tutors to teach his children, including Anna Leonowens. One of his last official duties was hosting a group of overseas astronomers in viewing a total solar eclipse which the King had successfully calculated would move across southern Siam on a specific date. Unfortunately, he contracted malaria during the expedition, and died shortly thereafter. His ashes are interred at Wat Ratchapradit in Bangkok.
Bio by: Chris Nelson
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