Ann Wood was born in 1847 in London. Her family was of Irish origin and she identified with the cause of Irish (and later Indian) self-rule throughout her life. Besant’s father died when she was five; her mother was unable to financially support her daughter and asked Ellen Marryat (sister of writer Frederick Marryat [1792-1848]) to raise her. It seems this was of great benefit to Annie (she received a good education and a stable home life).
In 1867, she married Frank Besant (1841-1917), an evangelical Anglican clergyman, brother of novelist Walter Besant (1836-1901). The couple moved to Sibsey in Lincolnshire, where they had two children, Arthur and Mabel. Besant began publishing short stories, books for children, and essays. H…
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Citation: Graff, Ann-Barbara. "Annie Besant". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 March 2015 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=397, accessed 24 November 2024.]
