father of scouting; military scout; soldier of fortune; oil man; writer; rancher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frederick Russell Burnham DSO (May 11, 1861 – September 1, 1947) was an American scout. He travelled the world and had many adventures. He served to the British Army in colonial Africa and for taught scouting to Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the boy scouts.
Frederick Russell Burnham | |
---|---|
Nickname | The King of Scouts;[1] He-who-sees-in-the-dark;[2] Fred |
Born | May 11, 1861 |
Died | September 1, 1947 86) | (aged
Allegiance | Scout for the British Army in Southern Africa; U.S. citizen. |
Years of service | 1893–1897, 1900–1901 |
Rank | Major |
Commands held | Chief of Scouts under Lord Roberts |
Battles/wars | Pleasant Valley War Indian Wars: — Apache Wars — Cheyenne War — Geronimo campaign First Matabele War: — Shangani Patrol Second Matabele War: — Assassination of Mlimo Second Boer War: — Battle of Paardeberg — Driefontein (March 10, 1900) — Johannesburg (May 31, 1900) — March on Pretoria (June 2–5, 1900) |
Awards | Distinguished Service Order Queen's South Africa Medal British South Africa Company Medal Victoria Cross (declined) Boy Scouts Silver Buffalo Award Mount Burnham (California). |
Other work | messenger, Indian tracker, gold miner, rich oil man, American spy. Father of the international Scouting movement and a close friend of Robert Baden-Powell. |
Burnham attended high school but never graduated. When he was 14 he began his working as a scout and tracker for the U.S. Army. As an adult Burnham went to Africa where this background proved useful. He soon became an officer in the British Army and fought in several battles there. During this time Burnham became friends with Baden-Powell and taught him both his outdoor skills and his spirit for what became known as Scouting.
Burnham eventually became involved in espionage, oil, conservation, writing and business. His descendants are still active in Scouting.
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