Annie Besant (nee Wood; 1 October 1847 - 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, and educationist. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was also a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism. Besant's goal was to provide employment, better living conditions, and proper education for the poor.[1

Born Annie Wood 1 October 1847 Clapham, London, England

Died 20 September 1933 (aged 85) Adyar, Chinglepet District, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Known for Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator

Movement Indian independence movement