BESANT, ANNIE


Meaning of BESANT, ANNIE in English

orig. Annie Wood

born Oct. 1, 1847, London, Eng.

died Sept. 20, 1933, Adyar, Madras

British social reformer.

She was a prominent Fabian socialist in the 1880s before becoming an adherent of theosophy in 1889. She served as international president of the Theosophical Society from 1907 until her death, and her writings are still considered some of the best expositions of theosophical belief. After immigrating to India, she became an Indian independence leader and established the Indian Home Rule League in 1916.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.