(February 22, 1857–January 8, 1941), was a British General who founded of the Boy Scout movement. Educated at Charterhouse, London, he joined the English hussars in 1876, and served as adjutant in India, Afghanistan, and South Africa. In 1895 he commanded native troops in Ashanti, and later served in the Matabele campaign. During the South African War, his force of 1,200 men was besieged for 215 days by a large Boer army at Mafeking. In spite of famine and sickness, he succeeded in defending his position until help arrived on May 12, 1900. He was then promoted to the rank of Major General.
In order to promote good citizenship in the rising generation, he founded the Boy Scout organization in 1908, and the Girl Guides, in co-operation with his sister Agnes Baden-Powell, in 1910. His works include: Cavalry Instruction; The Matabele Campaign; Scouting for Boys; My Adventures as a Spy; Indian Memories; The Wolf Cub’s Handbook; Girl Guiding; Rovering to Success; and Scouting and Youth Movements.
The Boys Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910, and was authorized by an Act of the U.S. Congress in June of 1916. The Scout Oath is as follows:
On my honor, I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
and to obey the Scout Law.
To help other people at all times.
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.2987
The Scout Law is as follows:
A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.2988