William Booth

William Booth (10 April 1829 – 20 August 1912) was a British Methodist preacher who founded The Salvation Army and became its first General (1878–1912). The Christian movement with a quasi-military structure and government founded in 1865 has spread from London, England to many parts of the world and is known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.

In 2002, Booth was named among the 100 Greatest Britons following a UK-wide vote.

Read more about William Booth:  Conversion and Early Ministry, The Christian Mission, The Salvation Army, Opposition, Later Years, Legacy, Children of William and Catherine Booth, Grandchildren of William and Catherine Booth (37), Gallery

Famous quotes containing the words william and/or booth:

    When the Prince of Wales [later King George IV] and the Duke of York went to visit their brother Prince William [later William IV] at Plymouth, and all three being very loose in their manners, and coarse in their language, Prince William said to his ship’s crew, “now I hope you see that I am not the greatest blackguard of my family.”
    Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    A man’s labour is not only his capital but his life. When it passes it returns never more. To utilise it, to prevent its wasteful squandering, to enable the poor man to bank it up for use hereafter, this surely is one of the most urgent tasks before civilisation.
    —William Booth (1829–1912)