Born: 1 October 1847, United Kingdom
Died: 20 September 1933
Country most active: India
Also known as: NA
“The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Annie Besant was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, advocate for women’s rights and Home Rule, educator, and supporter of Indian nationalism.
Besant was an advocate of atheism and scientific materialism in England. She was a leading voice for the National Secular Society (NSS) and a prolific writer. Afterward, Besant got involved in union activities, including the Bloody Sunday demonstration and the London Matchgirls strike of 1888. She also became a speaker for the Fabian Society and the Marxist Social Democratic Federation (SDF). Remarkably, she won a seat on the London School Board for Tower Hamlets, despite few women having voting rights at that time.
In 1890, Besant met Helena Blavatsky, leading to her growing interest in theosophy and membership in the Theosophical Society. She became a lecturer on the subject and traveled to India for her theosophy-related work. In 1898, she played a key role in establishing the Central Hindu School and, in 1922, the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board in Bombay (now Mumbai), India.
In 1902, she founded the first overseas Lodge of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain, and established lodges in various parts of the British Empire over the next few years. In 1907, she became the president of the Theosophical Society, which had its international headquarters in Adyar, Madras (now Chennai).
Besant also engaged in Indian politics, joining the Indian National Congress. When World War I erupted in 1914, she spearheaded the Home Rule League’s formation to advocate for Indian democracy and dominion status within the British Empire. Her efforts led to her election as the president of the Indian National Congress in late 1917. After the war, Besant continued her tireless campaigns for Indian independence and theosophical causes until her passing in 1933.”
From Famous Women: An Outline of Feminine Achievement Through the Ages With Life Stories of Five Hundred Noted Women. Written by Joseph Adelman, published 1926 by Ellis M Lonow Company:
English theosophist, author and lecturer, born in London. She began life as a devout ritualist, married the Rev. Frank Besant in 1867, but soon afterward became an avowed freethinker, and in 1873 separated from her husband. She then became prominently connected with various socialistic movements, and was a frequent speaker at meetings for workingmen. In 1889 she joined the Theosophical Society and became an ardent disciple of Madam Blavatsky, and since then has devoted herself to the propaganda of theosophy throughout the world. In 1892-1893 she visited the United States and lectured on reincarnation, theosophy and occultism. She founded the Central Hindu College at Benares, India, in 1898, and in 1907 was made president of the Theosophical Society. Of late she has lived in India, where her teachings have a wide influence. Among her numerous publications are: “The Building of Cosmos,” “Four Great Religions,” “The Ancient Wisdom,” “The Religious Problem in India,” and her autobiography under the title, “Through Storm to Peace.”
IW note: In 1916, Besant co-founded the All India Home Rule League, which mobilised demonstrations, public meetings and agitations. In June 1917, Besant was arrested, sparking protests that brought together the Congress and the Muslim League.