She was born in Melbourne and now lives in Sydney. She worked as a teacher for seventeen years before taking up her current position with The Sydney Institute. She is married to Gerard Henderson, the Executive Director of the Institute.

Anne Henderson is the author of a number of non-fiction works. Her most recent books are: Angel in the Court: The Life of Major Joyce Harmer, a biography of Major Joyce Harmer, Salvation Army major, social worker, court chaplain and advocate; and The Killing of Sister McCormack, a biographical work which covers the execution of Sister Irene McCormack.

Her other books include Getting Even: Women MPs on Life, Power and Politics , From All Corners: Six Migrant Stories, Educating Johannah: A Year in Year 12 and Mary MacKillop's Sisters: A Life Unveiled. She was a contributor to Fathers: In Writing. She contributed to and co-edited Partners with Ross Fitzgerald .

Anne also writes occasionally for The Australian, The Canberra Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the Australian Book Review, and the Australian's Review of Books.