The Founder

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (London, 22 February 1857 – Nyeri, 8 January 1941), also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, founder of the Scout Movement.

After graduating from Charterhouse School, Baden-Powell served in the British Army from 1876 until 1910 in India and Africa. In 1899, during the Second Boer War in South Africa, Baden-Powell successfully defended the town in the Siege of Mafeking. Several of his military books, written for military reconnaissance and scout training in his African years, were also read by boys. Based on those earlier books, he wrote the Scouting for Boys, published in 1908 by Sir Arthur Pearson, for youth readership. In 1st August 1907, he held the first Brownsea Island Scout Camp. The Camp started on 1st August  1907 – the date considered as the beginning of Scouting.

After marrying Olave St Clair Soames, Baden-Powell, his sister Agnes Baden-Powell and notably his wife actively gave guidance to the Scouting Movement. Baden-Powell lived his last years in Nyeri, Kenya, where he died and was buried in 1941. 

His last message to Scouts B-P wrote by himself probably before the year of 1929, because the signature indicates “Robert Baden-Powell” and not “Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell”. According to Lady Baden-Powell, they brought this letter with them to every journey (in an envelope addressed “To Scout Boys”) in an envelope labelled “In case of my death”.

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 possibly 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 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 as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, nor merely from 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 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,

Baden-Powell