Annie Besant, writer and campaigner for women’s rights – born on 1 October 1847

Annie Besant, a leading political activist and social justice campaigner in the 19th and 20th centuries, was born in Clapham, London, on 1 October 1847.

To celebrate the day of her birth, here are four newspaper stories from that offer an insight into her character, political and social beliefs.

Sussex Advertiser | 10 April 1877

Yorkshire Gazette | 15 October 1892

Dundee Evening Telegraph | 7 December 1897

Aberdeen Press and Journal | 17 October 1927