The collection consists of eleven items, including ten letters and a signed manuscript essay. The ten letters, dated 1877-1914, are to various people, and generally involved business dealings such as receipts, requests for articles, and replies to questions generated by her writing. The two-page essay bears the title Theosophy and Education, and discusses aspects of Theosophy and education, focusing on ways to improve the system of education.
In Rare Books and Manuscripts, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (#1968-0044R/VF Lit)
Source of Acquisition:
Purchased, 1968-1974.
Administrative History:
Annie Wood Besant was born in London to Irish parents. An early marriage to a young clergyman ended in divorce, as Annie's increasing progressivism led to social activism. She renounced the Church, and became one of the most formidable and sought after writers and lecturers for such causes as the Freethinkers and Fabian Socialism. Among many activities, she led the 1888 Match Girls' Strike, sought to liberalize birth control, and campaigned for India Home Rule. Later in life, she embraced Theosophy, and spent her last years in India with her son and daughter.
