Early years
Anna was the 13th child born to farmers Michael and Mary Brennan at Emu Creek in central Victoria. Devout Catholics, they raised their children with a strong social conscience.
Anna studied law at the University of Melbourne and became its first woman law graduate in 1909. In 1911 she became the second woman admitted to the Bar in Victoria and went on to appear in her first court case in 1913.
Career
She worked in her brother Frank's law firm for more than 50 years, specialising in matrimonial law.
A social reformer and activist, she belonged to many organisations that championed women. She was a founding member of both the Melbourne Lyceum Club and the Catholic Women’s Social Guild. She also belonged to the National Council of Women and St Joan’s Alliance.
Personal life
Anna wasn't the only influential member of the Brennan family. Several of her siblings went on to have distinguished careers.
Frank (who she worked with) was a Labor politician, pacifist and anti-conscriptionist. Thomas, William and Henry were journalists. Michael was a lawyer and Richard was secretary of Strathfieldsaye Shire.
Recognition
The Anna Brennan Memorial Prize at the University of Melbourne commemorates her work.
Death
Active until the end, Anna had a fall on her way to a lecture on nuclear fission. Shortly after she contracted pneumonia and died.
She is buried with her sister and lifelong companion, Mary Catherine (May).
Bibliography
Adapted from material supplied by historian Dr Jan Penney, GMCT Trust member 2010-2020 and by the Friends of Coburg Cemetery Inc.
Campbell R & Morgen M (1979) Brennan, Anna Teresa (1879-1962), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University [website]
Gillison J M (1975) The History of the Lyceum Club, Lyceum Club
O’Farrell P (1977) The Catholic Church and Community in Australia: a History, Thomas Nelson
