Annie Besant died at Adyar, near Madras in British India, on 20 September 1933. She was 85.

Born Annie Wood in London in 1847, Besant spent much of her adult life involved in political, religious and social causes. In Britain, she became a prominent secularist, supported women’s rights, and campaigned on the conditions faced by working people.

In 1888 she published an article exposing the pay and working conditions of women and girls employed by the Bryant & May match factory in East London. When the workers went on strike, Besant supported them and later became secretary of the union formed after their successful action.

Besant joined the Theosophical Society in 1889 and first travelled to India in 1893. She increasingly made India the centre of her work and became president of the Theosophical Society in 1907.

She also became involved in Indian politics. She campaigned for Indian Home Rule, was interned by the British authorities in 1917, and later that year became the first woman to serve as president of the Indian National Congress.

She remained president of the Theosophical Society until her death at its headquarters in Adyar.