From Theosophy in Australia June 2007 by Naomi Blumensaadt:
Throughout its history The Theosophical Society has attracted to its work and membership a varied range of people, some more remarkable and unconventional than others. Some have stayed at the forefront of awareness and activities and others have dropped out of sight. Anna Kingsford (1846-1888) is one of the latter but Alan pert's well -researched and readable biography should help rekindle interest in her and her work.
Anna Kingsford was President of The British Theosophical Society in 1883 but resigned and formed the Hermetic Society. This move reflected both her significant differences with some leading members of The Theosophical Society and her wish to provide opportunities to pursue a more Christian-oriented focus on understanding the mystery teachings. She saw herself as a mystic and a prophetess who perceived the way forward for the betterment of humanity. Her mystical 'illuminations', apparently obtained mostly through dreams, form the basis of The Perfect Way or the Finding of Christ. This major work, written with her co-worker Edward Maitland, sets out the hermetic philosophy also called esoteric Christianity. Among other significant publications are The Virgin of the World and Clothed With the Sun.Her work had some influence on the emergence, after her death, of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Anna Kingsford was also active in various social causes. She obtained, in Paris, a medical degree that provide credentials in her vigorous campaign against vivisection, and in her promotion of vegetarianism and a health life. She also supported women's rights and animal welfare, and owned and produced a magazine.
This is the second biography of Anna Kingsford-- the first, Anna Kingsford Her Life, Letters, Diary and Work by Edward Maitland, was published in 1986 in 2 volumes. Alan Pert initially planned to abridge this biography as it was not in print but he says the 'work is full of errors' and her 'soon found inadequacies...especially a serious lack of personal information on Anna's background and life...Maitland assumes centre stage, and we see Anna only through his distorted lens.' Further the biography 'is about Maitland himself rather than his professed subject'.Pert attempts to rectify this by providing what he considers a more accurate picture of Anna Kingsford, her life and her broad contribution to society. He is obviously partial to Kingsford and in his efforts to balance the perceived bias in Maitland's biography he may have swung the pendulum too far the other way. Nevertheless, Alan Pert had provided a very valuable service the theosophical movement by producing this biography and letting us know just how remarkable and extraordinary Anna Kingsford.
Comment: Edward Maitland wrote some outrageous things about Anna: that she killed two men by occult means; her mind was once taken over by a black magician; that she was frequently attacked by evil spirits; and she was suicidal, to name a few of his fanciful allegations. He burnt all her letters and diaries in his possession to cover his tracks.