Baden-Powell, Robert Stephenson Smyth (1857-1941)

British general, founder of the Scout Association. He was commander of the garrison during the 217-day siege of Mafeking (now Mafikeng) in the Second South African War (1899-1900). After 1907 he devoted his time to developing the Scout movement, which rapidly spread throughout the world.

Baden-Powell began the Scout movement in 1907 with a camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset. He published Scouting for Boys (1908) and about 30 other books. He was World Chief Scout from 1920. With his sister Agnes (1858-1945) he founded the Girl Guides in 1910. Knighted 1909, Baron 1929.