Full name: Robert Baden-Powell Born: 22nd February 1857 Place of Birth: Paddington, London Occupation: Soldier and Founder of the Scouting Movement Died: 8th January 1941

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, also known as Lord Baden Powell and founder of the Scouting Movement was a military soldier born on 22nd February 1857 in Paddington, London.  Robert Baden-Powell was one of ten children of Reverend Baden-Powell, who was a Professor at Oxford University.  Sadly, Robert's father died when he was just three years old, which meant Robert's childhood was particularly difficult due to a lack of family income. 

From a very young age, Robert was keen to explore and learn new skills and completed small expeditions with his siblings during various family holidays.  As a result, Robert joined the army soon after he had finished school and was commissioned to the 13th Hussars. 

Baden-Powell travelled to India, Afghanistan and South Africa during the early part of his successful army career and specialised in scouting, map-making training other soldiers.  In 1897, Baden-Powell was given the role of commander of the 5th Dragoon Guards, who were given scout training and were awarded badges for their efforts.  The awarded badge design featured the north point of the compass and a similar design is still used today as the scouting badge. 

Robert was later commissioned to work in Africa at the start of the Boer War and the outstanding scouting skills of the boys of the corps of messengers at Mafeking caught his attention.  Baden-Powell was given the role as Major-General after successfully defending the town of Mafeking from the Boers, which proved to be his most outstanding military achievement. 

In 1903, Baden-Powell returned to Britain as a national hero after his book 'Aids to Scouting'  was published during the Boer War.  The book was written for soldiers and gained credence and recognition among scholars and teachers throughout the country.  The book was originally written for military purposes but Robert re-wrote the book for younger readers, which proved immensely successful. 

Subsequently, Robert was commissioned by the Founder of the Boys Brigade to create a citizenship training scheme for boys, which led Robert to organise and execute his first camp in 1907 on Brownsea Island in Dorset to test and gain further ideas.  The camp consisted of 22 boys who participated in various activities under Robert's knowledgeable direction. 

As a result of the success of Robert's camp, Robert published a new book in 1908 called 'Scouting for boys', which became an instant success and led boys to form scout patrols across the British Empire and eventually, the world. 

The book was translated into 35 different languages and Robert Baden-Powell became the 'Chief Scout of the world' and travelled the world to promote and encourage Boy scouting and girl guiding across the world. 

Robert Baden-Powell died on 8th January 1941.