William Booth was an English Methodist preacher who, along with his wife, Catherine, 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 to many parts of the world. It is known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.
William Booth
William Booth c. 1862
Manifesto of The Christian Mission as a "Volunteer Army" (1878)
The Christian Mission becomes The Salvation Army (May 1878).
Catherine Booth was co-founder of The Salvation Army, along with her husband William Booth. Because of her influence in the formation of The Salvation Army she was known as the 'Mother of The Salvation Army'.
Catherine Booth
Catherine and William Booth
Statue of Catherine Booth in the Mile End Road, London, close to the site of the first Salvation Army meeting. The statue was donated by the women of the Salvation Army in the United States in 2015 to mark the Army's 150th anniversary.