author
William Booth
1829–1912
A fiery English preacher and social reformer, he co-founded the Salvation Army with his wife Catherine and built it into a worldwide movement. His life joined evangelism with practical work among the poor in Victorian Britain.
1 Audiobook
In Darkest England, and the Way Out
by William Booth
About the author
Born in Nottingham on April 10, 1829, he was drawn to Methodist preaching as a teenager and began working as an evangelist while still young. After moving to London, he married Catherine Mumford in 1855; together they became the driving force behind a mission aimed at people often neglected by established churches.
In 1865, that work took shape in London as the Christian Mission, which later became the Salvation Army. As its first General, he helped shape the movement’s distinctive military-style structure and its blend of street preaching, charity, and practical relief for people facing poverty, homelessness, and hardship.
He also wrote influential works, including In Darkest England and the Way Out, which argued for large-scale social action as well as spiritual renewal. By the time he died on August 20, 1912, his movement had spread far beyond Britain, leaving a lasting mark on both religious life and social welfare.