BADEN-POWELL-MAN OF THE MAN

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, known as B-P, was born in Paddington, London on 22nd February 1857. He was the eighth of ten children of Baden, a Professor at Oxford University, and Henrietta Powell. His father died when B-P was only three years old, leaving the family in a challenging situation. B-P set to work rewriting "Aids to Scouting", this time for a younger audience. In 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset, to try out his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from private schools and some from working class homes, and took them camping under his leadership. This was to be considered the starting point of the Scout Movement.
"Scouting for Boys" was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts. Sales. of the book were tremendous. Boys formed themselves into Scout Patrols to try out ideas. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new and ultimately worldwide Movement. "Scouting for Boys" has since been translated into all of the major languages of the world.
Spontaneously, boys began to form Scout Troops all over the country. In September 1908 Baden-Powell had to set up an office to deal with the large number of enquiries which were pouring in. Scouting spread quickly until it was established in practically all parts of the world.He retired from the army in 1910, at the age of 53, on the advice of King Edward VII who suggested that he could now do more valuable service for his country within the Scout Movement.With all his enthusiasm and energy now directed to the development of Boy Scouting and Girl Guiding, he travelled to all parts of the world, to encourage growth and give inspiration.In 1912 he married Olave Soames who was his constant help and companion in all this work, and who became greatly involved in Guiding and Scouting. They had three children (Peter, Heather and Betty). Lady Olave Baden-Powell was later known as World Chief Guide.

http://thescoutingpages.org.uk/bpstory.html