Founders

William Booth

The Salvation Army founder, William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, on 10 April, 1829. He married Catherine Mumford - later known as 'the Army Mother' - in June, 1855, and the couple went on to raise 9 children.

From his earliest years, Booth was no stranger to poverty.William was just 14 when his father died, and was already working as a pawnbroker's apprentice to supplement the family income.Although he despised the trade, William completed his six year apprenticeship to help support his family. Nevertheless, working as a pawnbroker created in him a deep hatred of the poverty and suffering he saw daily

A fiery, impulsive teenager, William became a Christian at age 15 and began attending the Wesleyan Chapel in Nottingham.A passion to reach the down-and-out of Britain's cities with the Gospel of Christ became the driving force throughout his life. Booth's talent for preaching was evident even as a teenager, and his concern for the poor led him to take his message to where the people were - the streets.Booth later worked as a travelling evangelist with various branches of the Methodist church; however, it was through preaching in the streets of London's slums that he discovered his life's purpose and The Salvation Army was born.

Read some of William Booth's famous words at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/heritage