Annie
Besant
1847-1933
Annie Besant started out traditionally. She was
born in London and married an Anglican clergyman at the age of 20. Then
she turned against religion and refused communion, so they separated in
1873. She published a book on birth control, for which she was arrested
and prosecuted under Britain's anti-obscenity law.
In 1889, she converted to the doctrines of the Russian-born religious mystic Helena Blavatsky
of the Theosophical Society. Besant plunged vigorously into
theosophical work, lecturing and writing widely. Her numerous books and
articles are still considered among the best expositions of
theosophical belief. She was international president of the
Theosophical Society from 1907 until her death, residing principally at
its headquarters in Madras, India. She became involved in the Indian
independence movement, establishing the Indian Home Rule League in 1916. She became the first
female president of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
Contemporaries: