Lord baden powell biography scout movement

Lord Baden-Powell (1857-1941) was a British general and founder of the modern Scouting movement.

Baden-Powell became a national hero during the Boer war of 1899-1900 when, with a small garrison, he commanded the defence of Mafeking.

During the Boer War, Baden-Powell wrote “A Guide to Scouting”. This was published in 1908 and was a best-seller.

Initially meant for military purposes, after the war, he felt it could be used as a focus for young boys to give them more meaning in life.

Lord Baden-Powell | Order of the Arrow, Scouting America

This led to the creation of the Scout Movements. During his lifetime it grew to be a respected international organisation.

Early life

Baden-Powell was born Paddington in London, on 22 February 1857. His father was a Church of England priest and professor at Oxford University. His father died when he was just three years old, and it was left to his mother, Henrietta Grace Smyth to bring up Baden-Powell and his siblings.

He studied at Charterhouse school and learnt USSSP: World Scouting - Lord Baden-Powell ZUTU