Page 3 - Scouting Life

Lord Baden-Powell

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell

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 1903 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. 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 rudimentary scouting skills
playing in nearby woods. After school, he joined the British Army as an
officer and was posted in India. He served in the British army from 1876-
1910. During his army career, he learnt more advanced scouting skills,
especially during his time in South Africa where knowledge of the
countryside was vital for gaining information and avoiding the enemy. In
1884 he published Reconnaissance and Scouting. From 1899 to May
1900, Baden-Powell commanded the garrison at Mafeking during the
Second Boer War. The siege of Mafeking lasted 217 days and the
successful defence of the town raised the national profile of Baden-Powell.