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Ann Lee

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (February 29, 1736-September 8, 1784)
    Born in Manchester, England, United Kingdom
    Former Quaker
    Founded the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, better known as the Shakers (1747)
    Emigrated to New York (1774)

Why she might be annoying:

    She encouraged celibacy among her followers, but was pregnant eight times.
    She claimed to receive visions from God.
    Her followers declared that she embodied the perfection of God in female form.
    She was called 'Mother Ann' and 'Ann, the Word.'
    She refused to pick a side during the American Revolution.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her eight pregnancies resulted in four miscarriages and four children who all died before their sixth birthday, which probably had a lot to do with her later attitude towards sex.
    She was frequently arrested in England for blasphemy and for violating the Sabbath by dancing.
    She settled in America to escape religious persecution.
    Some of the opposition to her was based on her advocacy of gender equality.
    She said of the Shakers' ideals of equality, 'We are the people who turned the world upside down.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 155 Votes: 53.55% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 73 Votes: 50.68% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 28 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 17 Votes: 70.59% Annoying