Robert Baden-Powell

Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941), British soldier and founder of the Boy Scouts, born in London, and educated at Charterhouse. His full name was Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell.

He joined the 13th Hussars in India in 1876. From 1888 to 1895 he was stationed, successively, in India, Afghanistan, Zululand, and Ashanti. Before and during the Boer War, he served as chief staff officer during the British campaign in Matabeleland (1896-1897), colonel of Irregular Horse, South Africa, and lieutenant colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards (1897-99). In recognition of his courageous defense of Mafeking (now Mafikeng), he was promoted to the rank of major general. He organized the South African Constabulary toward the end of the war and became inspector general of cavalry in 1903. In 1908 he became a lieutenant general. Knighted in 1909, he retired from military service the following year.

He started the Boy Scouts movement in 1907, and in 1910 he helped to found the Girl Guides, a similar organization for girls. During World War I he served in the British Intelligence Department. He wrote many books on the Boy Scout movement, including What Scouts Can Do (1921) and Scouting and Youth Movement (1929).