Social Reformer and Religious Leader. Founder and first General of the Salvation Army. Born into a wealthy family, he was apprenticed to a pawnbroker at the age of 13 after the family had a reversal of fortune and the death of his father. Two years later he was converted to Methodism and began what would be a long history of street evangelism. After his apprenticeship ended in 1848, he spent a year unsuccessfully looking for a job before moving to London and going to work for a pawnbroker. In April of 1852 he left that job to become the preacher at Binfield Chapel in Clapham, London. He met and married Catherine Mumford, and together they would found The Christian Revival Society which would later become the Salvation Army. Modeled after the military system, each position had a rank, with him as General, other ministers holding officer positions, and his volunteer army called soldiers. The Salvation Army's purpose was twofold, to help the needy and to bring the message of salvation to sinners. His book, "In Darkest England and the Way Out" was released in 1890 and became a bestseller. It would become the foundation of the current day Salvation Army's social welfare approach. He appointed family members to key positions, leading to accusations that it was a Booth family business. He was accused of creating a dynasty, an accusation that seemed to be supported when he insisted his sons-in-law hyphenate their last names to add Booth. During his lifetime, he established Salvation operations in 58 countries and colonies, including the United States, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and Argentina. In later years, he was welcomed by kings, emperors and presidents. He died in 1912 at his home in Hadley Wood, London, at the age of 83. His body laid in state for three days at Clapton Congress Hall and drew 150,000 mourners. His funeral was held at the Olympia exhibition center in London, and Queen Mary was among 40,000 who attended. His will named his son Bramwell Booth as his successor.