The Changing World and Lectures to Theosophical Students

Besant (nee Wood, 1847-1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator who supported both Irish and Indian self-rule. Her increasingly anti-religious views led to a legal separation from her clergyman husband, Frank Besant, after which she became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society, as well as a writer. She was also a leading speaker for both the Fabian Society and the Marxist Social Democratic Federation. In 1890 she met Helena Blavatsky and joined the Theosophical Society, becoming one of the foremost lecturers on the subject. As part of her theosophy-related work she travelled to India and in 1898 helped establish the Central Hindu College. In 1907 she became president of the Theosophical Society whose international headquarters were by then located in Adyar, Madras. She also became involved in Indian politics, joining the Indian National Congress and in 1914 helped launch the Home Rule League to campaign for democracy in India. In 1917 she was elected president of the INC and continued to campaign for Indian independence and for theosophical causes until her death. This book contains 15 of her lectures on theosophy delivered in London during in May, June and July 1909.