Annie besant autobiography

1. I, Annie Besant the daughter of William Wood and Emily

Morris, was born in 1847. I lost my father when I
was only 5 years of age. My mother and I went
through a grim crisis, emotionally as well as
financially. My mother tried to provide for me by
taking up work at Harrow School but failing to do
so, she left the responsibility of my upbringing with
a friend of hers: Ellen Marryat. I received private education in
across several countries such as France, England and Germany, matriculated from
London University in 1879 and pursued further studies in science. At the age of twenty
I was married to Frank Besant, and had a son and a daughter, Arthur Digby and Mabel
respectively. However, our religious beliefs and views often clashed & we ended up
separating. I then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular
Society (NSS), as well as a writer, and a close friend of Charles Bradlaugh.
Thereafter I became involved with union actions, including the Bloody
Sunday demonstration and the London matchgirls strike of 1888. I was a leading
speaker for both the Fabian Society and the Marxist Social Democratic
Federation (SDF) and was elected to the London School Board for Tower Hamlets,
even though few women were qualified to vote at that time. over the next few years
my interest in theosophy grew and I became a member of the Theosophical
Society and a prominent lecturer on the subject. As part of my theosophy-related
work, i had to travel to India, I played my part in establishing the Central Hindu
School,] and the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board in Mumbai, India. I
also established lodges in many parts of the British Empire. In 1907 I became
president of the Theosophical Society. I also became involved in politics in India,
joining the Indian National Congress. When World War I broke out in 1914, I
helped launch the Home Rule League to campaign for democracy in India, and
dominion status within the British Empire. This led to my election as president of
the Indian National Congress, in late 1917. After the war, I continued to campaign
for Indian independence and for the causes of theosophy. As an educationist, I
was one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. I feel immense pride &
gratitude as I say this, I was given a chance to represent the Theosophical
Society at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 & i was given
the title of Honorary Scout Commissioner for India and in 1932 received the
highest Scout distinction in the form of the ‘Silver Wolf’ medal. I founded the
Home Rule League in 1916 and demanded self rule in India. .I became the first
ever woman president of Indian National Congress. My own life in India,
since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted
to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom. I
started The newspaper “New India” where I strongly criticized the British rule
in India as The destruction of India's village system was the
greatest of England's blunders.

I personally feel that The

true basis of morality is utility; that is,
the adaptation of our actions to the promotion of the general
welfare and happiness; the endeavour so to rule our lives that
we may serve and bless mankind.