William Booth 1829 – 1912

• As a child, his family went from poor to poorer; he had to work to support his mother and siblings after his father died; his mother was stern and unaffectionate. Eventually became successful at business. Saw other people going through the same economic hardships.

• Seeing so much human misery, he decided to do something about it. He became a Christian, and later a minister in a church. He learned that some churches were socially exclusive, not welcoming the poor, the unemployed, or the homeless. He began to work with these people, understanding that the Christian faith was meant for all humans.

• Rented an old warehouse, where he organized meetings in ’s poorest neighborhood. Booth gave both spiritual encouragement and practical help like food and clothing. Eventually expanding into offering a place to sleep, and helping people find jobs.

• His organization is named “The Army” and forms, along with the Red Cross and YMCA, the three largest charitable organizations in the entire world.

• cares for millions of poor people, but does not take money from the government, instead relying on voluntary donations.

• Booth also worked to give women equal status; the Salvation Army employs men and women equally.

• As a Christian activist, William Booth wrote, “While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight – I'll fight to the very end!”

• Booth symbolized the application of Christian ideas to the modern world.