*Annie Besant,* born on 1 October 1847, was a _British socialist, theosophist, women's rights activist, writer, orator, educationist, and philanthropist._ Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was a prolific author with over _three hundred books_ and _pamphlets_ to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included the founding of the _Banaras Hindu University._
