Annie Besant

In 1867, Annie married an evangelical Anglican, Frank Besant. Frank was employed as a clergyman.

Following Frank Besant’s appointment as the vicar of Sibsey, the couple moved to Sibsey, Lincolnshire. They were blessed with two children, Arthur and Mabel.

Annie and Frank’s marriage did not last long due to their polarized opinions. The two had major conflicts over finances, political and religious beliefs and freedom. They separated in 1873.

Annie Besant was born as Annie Wood on October 1, 1847 in Clapham, London in a middle-class family of Irish descent.

Following the death of her father, young Annie was kept under the care of her mother’s friend Ellen Marryat due to the family’s lack of financial means.

Under the guardianship of Marryat, Annie secured good education. During her early days, she travelled to Europe. These expeditions shaped much of her future thinking and her outlook.

It was after her marriage to Anglican clergyman, Frank Besant that Annie Besant developed a political bent of mind. Her friendship with English radicals and Manchester Martyrs of the Irish Republican Fenian Brotherhood shaped much of her political thinking.

Post marriage, Besant explored her writing skills and started penning short stories, articles and books for children.

Over the course of her marriage, she became more and more radical in her views. She began to question her faith and stopped attending the Communion as she no longer believed in Christianity.

The conflicting opinion between Annie and Frank led the couple to part ways in 1873. Eventually, she left for England with her daughter Mabel. She undertook part-time study at the Birkbeck Literary and Scientific Institution.

She became widely recognized for her radical views, as she openly expressed her support for freedom of thought, women’s right, secularism, birth control, Fabian socialism and worker’s rights

Besant along with Chares Bradlaugh published a book by birth control campaigner Charles Knowlton. This marked her rise to prominence as the book created a rage amongst the public. Having highly controversial content, it was condemned by the Church

Besant actively worked for the cause of worker’s right and women’s rights. She played a crucial role in the London matchgirls strike of 1888 and London Dock Strike. In both the cases, she helped alleviate the standard of working and assisted in increased pay.

She served as the President of the Theosophical Society. During her presidency, she became actively involved in the Indian struggle for independence. She founded the Home Rule League. Additionally, she initiated the Banaras Hindu University. Besant served as the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.