Annie Besant was one of the great female reformers of the early twentieth century, striving for women's and workers' rights at a time when both were considered 'inappropriate' for a well-brought-up young lady. Following a chance request to review Madame Blavatsky's 'The Secret Doctrine', Besant added esoteric research and practice to her many accomplishments, rising to a high position in the Theosophical Society, and eventually taking on the mantle of spiritual leader after Madame Blavatsky's death in 1891 In 'Esoteric Christianity' Besant explores the hidden teachings that - as with other religions - lie behind the 'public face' of orthodox Christianity. The author shows that Christianity's priestly leaders have long repudiated these esoteric principles. She examines the personality of Christ in terms of its Mythic and Mystic components, and reveals the different levels of meaning inherent in such Christian concepts as The Sacraments, The Trinity, Atonement, The Resurrection, and The Forgiveness of Sins. A deep and wonderfully insightful attempt to reconstruct the inner, esoteric teachings of early Christianity.
Die langjährige Präsidentin der Theosophischen Gesellschaft gilt als eine der größten Persönlichkeiten des 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhunderts. Lange Jahre engagiert für die Frauenbewegung (enge Freundin von George Bernard Shaw) lernte sie Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts die Gründerin der modernen Theosophie, Helena P. Blavatsky, kennen und widmete sich fortan der Arbeit für die Theosophie. Anfangs des 20. Jahrhunderts war sie zudem, als Engländerin(!), entscheidend beteiligt an der Befreiung Indiens von der englischen Kolonialherrschaft.
