Biography of Lord Baden-Powell
The name Baden-Powell is known and respected throughout the world. He was a man who, in his 83 years, devoted himself to the service of his country and his fellow men in two separate and complete lives; one as a soldier fighting for his country, and the other as a worker for peace through the Scout Movement.
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was born at 6 Stanhope Street (now 11 Stanhope Terrace), Paddington, London on February 22, 1857. He was the sixth son and the eighth of ten children of the Reverend Baden-Powell, a Professor at Oxford University. The names Robert Stephenson were those of his Godfather, the son of railway pioneer George Stephenson.
When B-P was three years old, his father died, the family were not left well off. B-P was given his first lessons by his mother, then he went to Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells, where he gained a scholarship to Charterhouse School. Based in London when he first attended, it relocated to Godalming, Surrey, a factor which had great influence in his later life. He was always eager to learn new skills. He played the piano and fiddle. He acted - and acted the clown too at times. He practised bricklaying, and it was whilst a scholar at
Charterhouse that he began to exploit his interest in the arts of Scouting and woodcraft.
In the woods around the school, B-P would stalk his masters as well as catch and cook rabbits, being careful not to let the tell-tale smoke give his position away. During the holidays, he and his brothers were always in search of adventure. One vacation was spent on a yachting expedition around the south coast of England. On another, they traced the Thames to its source by canoe. In all this, B-P was learning skills, that were to prove
so useful to him professionally. He was certainly not a 'swot' at school, as his end of term reports revealed. One records: 'Mathematics - has to all intents given up the study', and another: 'French - could do well but has become very lazy, often sleeps in school'. Nevertheless, he gained second place for cavalry in an open examination for the Army and was commissioned straight into the 13th Hussars, bypassing the officer training establishments, and subsequently became their Honorary Colonel for 30 years.
From the start, his Army career was outstanding.
With the 13th Hussars he served in India,
Afghanistan and South Africa and was mentioned
in dispatches for his work in Zululand. Next came
three years service in Malta as Assistant Military
Secretary; then he went to Ashanti in Africa, to lead
the campaign against Prempeh. Success led to his
being promoted at the age of 40 to command the
5th Dragoon Guards in 1897. They benefited from
B-P’s first training in Scouting, and he awarded
soldiers reaching certain standards a badge based
on the north point of the compass. Today's Scout
Membership badge is very similar.
In 1899 came the successful defence of the town of
Mafeking, from the Boers in South Africa. This was
the most notable episode in his outstanding military
career; he became a Major-General at the age of
only 43. B-P became famous and the hero of
every boy, although he always minimised both his
own part and the value of his inspiring leadership.
He learned how well young people responded to a
challenge by using boys for responsible jobs during
the 217 day siege. B-P's book, 'Aids to Scouting',
was published during the siege and reached a far
wider readership than the military one for which it
was intended.
Following Mafeking, B-P was given the task of
organising the South African Constabulary. On his
return to England in 1903 as Inspector General of
Cavalry, he found his book was being used by
youth leaders and teachers all over the country.
He spoke at meetings and rallies and was asked by
Founder of the Boys Brigade, Sir William Smith, to
work out a scheme to provide greater variety in the
training of boys in good citizenship.
The Beginnings of the Movement
B-P set to work to rewrite his book for a younger
readership and in 1907 he held an experimental
camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out
his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from
public schools and some from working class
homes, and put them into camp under his
leadership. The whole world now knows the
results of that camp.
'Scouting for Boys' was published in 1908 in six
fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. Sales of the book
were tremendous and boys formed themselves into
Scout Patrols to try out his ideas. What had been
intended as a training aid for existing organisations
became the handbook of a new and, ultimately,
worldwide Movement. B-P's great understanding
of boys obviously touched a fundamental chord in
the youth both in this country and others too.
'Scouting for Boys' has since been translated into
many different languages and dialects.
Without fuss, without ceremony and completely
spontaneously, boys began to form Scout Troops
all over the country. In September 1908, B-P set
up an office to deal with enquiries pouring in about
the Movement.
Scouting spread throughout the British
Commonwealth and to other countries until it was
established in practically all parts of the free world.
Even in those countries where Scouting, as we
know it, is not allowed to readily exist, admit they
used its methods for their own youth training.
As Inspector-General of Cavalry, B-P considered
he had reached the pinnacle of his career. The
baton of Field Marshal was within his grasp. But he
retired from the Army in 1910 at the age of 53, on
the advice of His Majesty King Edward VII. The
King suggested B-P would do more valuable
service for his country within the Boy Scout
Movement - now Scout Movement - than anyone
could hope to do as a soldier!
All his enthusiasm and energy was now channelled
on developing Scouting and its sister Movement,
Guiding. He travelled to parts of the world,
wherever he was most needed, in order to
encourage their growth and provide the inspiration
that he alone could give.
In 1912, he married Olave Soames who was his
constant help and companion in all this work and
by whom he had three children (Peter, Heather and
Betty). Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, until she died in
1977, was known throughout the world as World
Chief Guide.
The first international Scout Jamboree took place
at Olympia, London in 1920. At its closing
ceremony, B-P was unanimously acclaimed as
Chief Scout of the World. Successive international
gatherings, whether of Scouts or Rovers
(subsequently Venture Scouts) or of Scouters,
proved this was not an honorary title. He was truly
regarded by all as their Chief. The shouts that
heralded his arrival, and the silence that fell when
he raised his hand, proved beyond any doubt he
had captured the hearts and imaginations of his
followers in whatever country they owed allegiance.
The Prince of Wales announced B-P had been
created a Peer at the 3rd World Jamboree, held in
Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, to celebrate the 21st
Anniversary of the publication of 'Scouting for
Boys'. He took the title of Lord Baden-Powell of
Gilwell - Gilwell Park being the International
Training Centre for Scout Leaders.
Scouting apart, B-P excelled at fishing, and
favoured polo and big game hunting. He was also
a very good black & white and watercolour artist
and took an interest in cinephotography and
sculpture. In 1907, he exhibited a bust of John
Smith, the colonial pioneer, at the Royal Academy.
B-P wrote no less than 32 books, the earnings from
which helped to pay for his Scouting travels. As
with all his successors, he received no salary as
Chief Scout. He received honorary degrees from
Edinburgh, Toronto, Montreal, Oxford, Liverpool
and Cambridge Universities. He also received
Freedoms of the cities of London, Guildford,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Bangor, Cardiff, Hawick,
Kingston-on-Thames, Poole, Blandford, Canterbury
and Pontefract, as well as other cities around the
world. In addition, 28 Foreign Orders and
decorations and 19 Foreign Scout Awards were
bestowed upon him. Every minute of B-P's life was
'sixty seconds worth of distance run'. Each new
adventure was the subject for a book. Every happy
incident or thought, every fine landscape might be
the subject for a sketch.
In 1938, suffering ill-health, B-P returned to Africa,
which had meant so much in his life, to live in semiretirement
in Nyeri, Kenya. Even here he found it
difficult to curb his energies - he still produced
many books and sketches.
On January 8, 1941, Baden-Powell died at the age
of 83. He is buried in a simple grave at Nyeri within
sight of Mount Kenya. On his headstone are the
words, 'Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the
World' mounted by the Boy Scout and Girl Guide
Badges. His memory remains eternally in the
hearts of millions of men and women, boys and
girls. It is up to those who are, or have been,
Scouts or Guides to see the two Movements he so
firmly established continue for all time as living
memorials to their Founder.
Baden-Powell's Last Message
Towards the end of his life, although still in
comparatively good health, he prepared a farewell
message to his Scouts, for publication after his
death. It read:
"Dear Scouts - if you have ever seen the play
'Peter Pan' you will remember how the pirate chief
was always making his dying speech because he
was afraid that possible, when the time came for
him to die, he might not have time to get it off his
chest. It is much the same with me, and so,
although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be
doing so one of these days and I want to send you
a parting word of goodbye.
“Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear
from me, so think it over.
“I have had a most happy life and I want each one
of you to have a happy life too.
“I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be
happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come
from being rich, nor merely being successful in your
career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards
happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong
while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and
so you can enjoy life when you are a man.
“Nature study will show you how full of beautiful
and wonderful things God has made the world for
you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got
and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of
things instead of the gloomy one.
“But the real way to get happiness is by giving out
happiness to other people. Try and leave this
world a little better than you found it and when your
turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that
at any rate you have not wasted your time but have
done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live
happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout
Promise always - even after you have ceased to be
a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your friend,
Robert Baden-Powell”
The name Baden-Powell is known and respected throughout the world. He was a man who, in his 83 years, devoted himself to the service of his country and his fellow men in two separate and complete lives; one as a soldier fighting for his country, and the other as a worker for peace through the Scout Movement.
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was born at 6 Stanhope Street (now 11 Stanhope Terrace), Paddington, London on February 22, 1857. He was the sixth son and the eighth of ten children of the Reverend Baden-Powell, a Professor at Oxford University. The names Robert Stephenson were those of his Godfather, the son of railway pioneer George Stephenson.
When B-P was three years old, his father died, the family were not left well off. B-P was given his first lessons by his mother, then he went to Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells, where he gained a scholarship to Charterhouse School. Based in London when he first attended, it relocated to Godalming, Surrey, a factor which had great influence in his later life. He was always eager to learn new skills. He played the piano and fiddle. He acted - and acted the clown too at times. He practised bricklaying, and it was whilst a scholar at
Charterhouse that he began to exploit his interest in the arts of Scouting and woodcraft.
In the woods around the school, B-P would stalk his masters as well as catch and cook rabbits, being careful not to let the tell-tale smoke give his position away. During the holidays, he and his brothers were always in search of adventure. One vacation was spent on a yachting expedition around the south coast of England. On another, they traced the Thames to its source by canoe. In all this, B-P was learning skills, that were to prove
so useful to him professionally. He was certainly not a 'swot' at school, as his end of term reports revealed. One records: 'Mathematics - has to all intents given up the study', and another: 'French - could do well but has become very lazy, often sleeps in school'. Nevertheless, he gained second place for cavalry in an open examination for the Army and was commissioned straight into the 13th Hussars, bypassing the officer training establishments, and subsequently became their Honorary Colonel for 30 years.
From the start, his Army career was outstanding.
With the 13th Hussars he served in India,
Afghanistan and South Africa and was mentioned
in dispatches for his work in Zululand. Next came
three years service in Malta as Assistant Military
Secretary; then he went to Ashanti in Africa, to lead
the campaign against Prempeh. Success led to his
being promoted at the age of 40 to command the
5th Dragoon Guards in 1897. They benefited from
B-P’s first training in Scouting, and he awarded
soldiers reaching certain standards a badge based
on the north point of the compass. Today's Scout
Membership badge is very similar.
In 1899 came the successful defence of the town of
Mafeking, from the Boers in South Africa. This was
the most notable episode in his outstanding military
career; he became a Major-General at the age of
only 43. B-P became famous and the hero of
every boy, although he always minimised both his
own part and the value of his inspiring leadership.
He learned how well young people responded to a
challenge by using boys for responsible jobs during
the 217 day siege. B-P's book, 'Aids to Scouting',
was published during the siege and reached a far
wider readership than the military one for which it
was intended.
Following Mafeking, B-P was given the task of
organising the South African Constabulary. On his
return to England in 1903 as Inspector General of
Cavalry, he found his book was being used by
youth leaders and teachers all over the country.
He spoke at meetings and rallies and was asked by
Founder of the Boys Brigade, Sir William Smith, to
work out a scheme to provide greater variety in the
training of boys in good citizenship.
The Beginnings of the Movement
B-P set to work to rewrite his book for a younger
readership and in 1907 he held an experimental
camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out
his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from
public schools and some from working class
homes, and put them into camp under his
leadership. The whole world now knows the
results of that camp.
'Scouting for Boys' was published in 1908 in six
fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. Sales of the book
were tremendous and boys formed themselves into
Scout Patrols to try out his ideas. What had been
intended as a training aid for existing organisations
became the handbook of a new and, ultimately,
worldwide Movement. B-P's great understanding
of boys obviously touched a fundamental chord in
the youth both in this country and others too.
'Scouting for Boys' has since been translated into
many different languages and dialects.
Without fuss, without ceremony and completely
spontaneously, boys began to form Scout Troops
all over the country. In September 1908, B-P set
up an office to deal with enquiries pouring in about
the Movement.
Scouting spread throughout the British
Commonwealth and to other countries until it was
established in practically all parts of the free world.
Even in those countries where Scouting, as we
know it, is not allowed to readily exist, admit they
used its methods for their own youth training.
As Inspector-General of Cavalry, B-P considered
he had reached the pinnacle of his career. The
baton of Field Marshal was within his grasp. But he
retired from the Army in 1910 at the age of 53, on
the advice of His Majesty King Edward VII. The
King suggested B-P would do more valuable
service for his country within the Boy Scout
Movement - now Scout Movement - than anyone
could hope to do as a soldier!
All his enthusiasm and energy was now channelled
on developing Scouting and its sister Movement,
Guiding. He travelled to parts of the world,
wherever he was most needed, in order to
encourage their growth and provide the inspiration
that he alone could give.
In 1912, he married Olave Soames who was his
constant help and companion in all this work and
by whom he had three children (Peter, Heather and
Betty). Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, until she died in
1977, was known throughout the world as World
Chief Guide.
The first international Scout Jamboree took place
at Olympia, London in 1920. At its closing
ceremony, B-P was unanimously acclaimed as
Chief Scout of the World. Successive international
gatherings, whether of Scouts or Rovers
(subsequently Venture Scouts) or of Scouters,
proved this was not an honorary title. He was truly
regarded by all as their Chief. The shouts that
heralded his arrival, and the silence that fell when
he raised his hand, proved beyond any doubt he
had captured the hearts and imaginations of his
followers in whatever country they owed allegiance.
The Prince of Wales announced B-P had been
created a Peer at the 3rd World Jamboree, held in
Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, to celebrate the 21st
Anniversary of the publication of 'Scouting for
Boys'. He took the title of Lord Baden-Powell of
Gilwell - Gilwell Park being the International
Training Centre for Scout Leaders.
Scouting apart, B-P excelled at fishing, and
favoured polo and big game hunting. He was also
a very good black & white and watercolour artist
and took an interest in cinephotography and
sculpture. In 1907, he exhibited a bust of John
Smith, the colonial pioneer, at the Royal Academy.
B-P wrote no less than 32 books, the earnings from
which helped to pay for his Scouting travels. As
with all his successors, he received no salary as
Chief Scout. He received honorary degrees from
Edinburgh, Toronto, Montreal, Oxford, Liverpool
and Cambridge Universities. He also received
Freedoms of the cities of London, Guildford,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Bangor, Cardiff, Hawick,
Kingston-on-Thames, Poole, Blandford, Canterbury
and Pontefract, as well as other cities around the
world. In addition, 28 Foreign Orders and
decorations and 19 Foreign Scout Awards were
bestowed upon him. Every minute of B-P's life was
'sixty seconds worth of distance run'. Each new
adventure was the subject for a book. Every happy
incident or thought, every fine landscape might be
the subject for a sketch.
In 1938, suffering ill-health, B-P returned to Africa,
which had meant so much in his life, to live in semiretirement
in Nyeri, Kenya. Even here he found it
difficult to curb his energies - he still produced
many books and sketches.
On January 8, 1941, Baden-Powell died at the age
of 83. He is buried in a simple grave at Nyeri within
sight of Mount Kenya. On his headstone are the
words, 'Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the
World' mounted by the Boy Scout and Girl Guide
Badges. His memory remains eternally in the
hearts of millions of men and women, boys and
girls. It is up to those who are, or have been,
Scouts or Guides to see the two Movements he so
firmly established continue for all time as living
memorials to their Founder.
Baden-Powell's Last Message
Towards the end of his life, although still in
comparatively good health, he prepared a farewell
message to his Scouts, for publication after his
death. It read:
"Dear Scouts - if you have ever seen the play
'Peter Pan' you will remember how the pirate chief
was always making his dying speech because he
was afraid that possible, when the time came for
him to die, he might not have time to get it off his
chest. It is much the same with me, and so,
although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be
doing so one of these days and I want to send you
a parting word of goodbye.
“Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear
from me, so think it over.
“I have had a most happy life and I want each one
of you to have a happy life too.
“I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be
happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come
from being rich, nor merely being successful in your
career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards
happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong
while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and
so you can enjoy life when you are a man.
“Nature study will show you how full of beautiful
and wonderful things God has made the world for
you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got
and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of
things instead of the gloomy one.
“But the real way to get happiness is by giving out
happiness to other people. Try and leave this
world a little better than you found it and when your
turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that
at any rate you have not wasted your time but have
done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live
happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout
Promise always - even after you have ceased to be
a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your friend,
Robert Baden-Powell”
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