Besant Collection

1888 Matchgirl Strike
Some of the 1400 strikers at the Bryant & May match factory, the first strike by unorganised workers to gain national publicity

1888 Matchgirls / Besant
Annie Besant and the committee of the Matchgirls union, formed during the successful strike action against Bryant & May, in response to poor pay and working conditions

Holy Trinity Church, Clapham, c1812, (1912). Holy Trinity Church, Clapham completed in 1775. From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Besant Circa 1900
ANNIE BESANT circa 1900 Date: 1847 - 1933

Annie Besant / Fuller
ANNIE BESANT English theosophist and Indian political leader - portrait

King Edward the Confessors Palace at Borstal (Brill), 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

Beer Street, 1751, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Beer Street, 1751, (1925). Issued in 1751 by English artist William Hogarth. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

A Country Inn Yard, 1747, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
A Country Inn Yard, 1747, (1925). Published soon after the 1747 election. The composition renders the Election marginal, suggesting the English are too preoccupied with their own day-to-day

Gambling at Whites Club, 1734, (1925). Creator: William Radclyffe
Gambling at Whites Club, 1734, (1925). Plate VI, the gaming house scene from Hogarths The Rakes Progress, engraved by W.Radclyffe

Sport in the Eighteenth Century, c1720-1764, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Sport in the Eighteenth Century, c1720-1764, (1925). Wagerning bets on a Pocklington cockfight. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd

Treatment of the Insane, 1733, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Treatment of the Insane, 1733, (1925). " Bedlam" Bedlam from A Rakes Progress 1733 - engraving by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

Skin Market, Leadenhall, City of London, 1825 (1911). Artist: Thomas Dale
Skin Market, Leadenhall, City of London, 1825 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

A map of Fulham in 1813 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

The Causeway, Wandsworth, Showing the Pound, c1895, (1912). The causeway, connected the village square at the end of Wandsworth plain to the Thameside warehouses and strip fields

Besant and Rice (litho)
2807904 Besant and Rice (litho) by Chesterton, Gilbert Keith (1874-1936); Private Collection; (add.info.: Besant and Rice)

Newgate, Inner Court, 18th century, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Newgate, Inner Court, 18th century, (1925). The notorious Newgate Prison in London. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

Jonathan Wilds House, 1813, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Jonathan Wilds House, 1813, (1925). View of the house which was once the residence of extortionist Jonathan Wild (1682-1725), in Old Bailey, London

British Museum, c1753-1810, (1925). Creator: Unknown
British Museum, c1753-1810, (1925). Montagu House in Bloomsbury site of the British museum with exhibits widely sourced during the era of the British Empire

Frost Fair on the Thames, 1825, (1925). Creator: James Stow
Frost Fair on the Thames, 1825, (1925). View of the Fair on the River Thames, During the Great Frost 1683-4 from an Original Drawing by Wyke, engraved by James Stow (c. 1770-1820)

Flogging at the Old Bailey, 1809, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Flogging at the Old Bailey, 1809, (1925). From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

Meuxs Brewhouse (built about 1796), 1808, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Meuxs Brewhouse (built about 1796), 1808, (1925). Brewery in Liquor-pond Street, Clerkenwell, London. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd

Interior of a Weavers Workshop, 1747, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Interior of a Weavers Workshop, 1747, (1925). Plate 8 of 12 plot-linked engravings created by William Hogarth in 1747 for series Industry and Idleness. Plate 1 The Fellow Prentices at their Looms

Piazza in Covent Garden, 18th century, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Piazza in Covent Garden, 18th century, (1925). View of St Pauls Church, Covent Garden, Westminster, London, designed by Inigo Jones and completed in 1633

Hackney-Coach, 1787, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Hackney-Coach, 1787, (1925). From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

Old St. Pancras Churchyard, c1780, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Old St. Pancras Churchyard, c1780, (1925). St Pancras Old Church in central London, parts of which date back to the Norman period. Engraving published in " The New British Traveller

Humphreys and Mendoza, 1790, (1925). Creator: Charles Reuben Ryley
Humphreys and Mendoza, 1790, (1925). From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

Leadenhall Street, 18th century, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Leadenhall Street, 18th century, (1925). Situated in the City of London, the historic nucleus of modern London as well its primary financial district

Covent Garden at Mid-Day, 1738, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Covent Garden at Mid-Day, 1738, (1925). William Hogarths Noon (Four Times of The Day) sets the lives of the English working classes against the aristocracy

East India House, c1730-1800, (1925). Creator: Unknown
East India House, 18th century, (1925). Building designed by merchant and amateur architect Theodore Jacobsen. The professional architect on site was John James

City Feast, 1747, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
City Feast, 1747, (1925). Plate 8 of 12 plot-linked engravings created by William Hogarth in 1747 for series Industry and Idleness. The Industrious Prentice grown rich, & Sheriff of London

The Foundling Hospital, c1753, (1925). Creator: Unknown
The Foundling Hospital, c1753, (1925). Founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a childrens home established for the education and maintenance of exposed

St. Johns Gate, Clerkenwell, 1813, (1925). Creator: Unknown
St. Johns Gate, Clerkenwell, 1813, (1925). The gate was built in 1504 by Thomas Docwra, prior of the Priory of the Knights of Saint John. It served as the south entrance to the inner precinct

Old Bell Inn, Holborn, 18th century, (1925). Creator: CH Walker
Old Bell Inn, Holborn, 18th century, (1925). Courtyard of an inn in central London. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C. Black, Ltd. London, 1925]

St. Jamess Street, 18th century, (1925). Creator: Unknown
St. Jamess Street, 18th century, (1925). Engraving after Plate 4 of William Hogarths A Rakes Progress of 1735, Arrested for Debt

Cheapside on Lord Mayors Day, 1761, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Cheapside on Lord Mayors Day, 1761, 1925. Procession of Sir Samuel Fludyer, with George III watching from balcony. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C

Gateway of St. Saviours, Bermondsey, 1794, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Gateway of St. Saviour s, Bermondsey, 1794, (1925). View of King Johns Gate in the Abbey of St Saviour, Bermondsey, London. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant

Fragment of London Wall at St. Giles, Cripplegate, 1812, (1925). Creator: John Thomas Smith
Fragment of London Wall at St. Giles, Cripplegate, 1812, (1925). Depiction of the wall as it stood in the churchyard of St Giles without Cripplegate in 1793

Bank of England, c1781, (1925). Creator: Hare
Bank of England, c1781, (1925). View of the Bank of England in the City of London, and the churches of St Christopher-le-Stocks and St Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange

Kings Mews, c1750, (1925). Creator: Unknown
Kings Mews, c1750, (1925). Part of the Kings Mews with the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London. From " London in the Eighteenth Century", by Sir Walter Besant. [A. & C

Norman London, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

Gregory the Great, St. Benedict, and St. Cuthbert, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

Roman London, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

The Marshes of Early London, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

The White Tower, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

St. Johns Chapel, Tower of London, Norman Architecture, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

Norman Soldiers, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

Anglo-Saxon Warriors Approaching a Fort, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

The Temple Church, 1908. From Early London - Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1908]

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"Besant: A Trailblazer in Social Justice and Activism" In 1888, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in history with the Matchgirl Strike. The courageous actions of the 1888 Matchgirls, led by Annie Besant, marked a turning point in workers' rights and ignited a spark that would fuel future movements. Born circa 1900, Annie Besant was an influential figure who dedicated her life to fighting for justice and equality. Her tireless efforts resonated far beyond her time, leaving an indelible mark on society. Besant's activism extended beyond labor issues. She played a significant role in various causes throughout her life. From championing women's suffrage to advocating for educational reforms, she fearlessly challenged societal norms. The Holy Trinity Church in Clapham stands as a testament to Besant's unwavering faith and commitment to spirituality. Built around c1812 and restored in 1912, this sacred place served as both solace and inspiration for her during turbulent times. Annie Besant collaborated closely with fellow activist Fuller on numerous projects aimed at improving living conditions for the working class. Together they fought against poverty-stricken neighborhoods depicted vividly by William Hogarth's powerful artworks like "Beer Street" (1751) or "A Country Inn Yard" (1747). It also shed light on social vices prevalent within elite circles through works such as William Radclyffe's depiction of "Gambling at Whites Club" (1734). Her relentless pursuit of truth exposed injustices regardless of social standing or privilege. With deep historical roots dating back to King Edward the Confessor's Palace at Borstal (Brill) in 1908 or incidents surrounding Venners Rising and rebel leaders' execution from 1661 captured poignantly by Thomas Dale’s artwork depicting Leadenhall Skin Market (1825), Besant understood that understanding the past was crucial for shaping a better future.