Annie Besant was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, educationist, and campaigner for Indian nationalism. She was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism.

Annie Besant was a British socialist, educationist and women's rights activist known for her role in fostering the Home Rule Movement in India. As an educationist, her contributions include being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University.