B-P Family History Index

Baden-Powell Family History


The Rev. Baden Powell, F.R.S., Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oxford University	Henrietta Grace Smyth Baden-Powell

The links below are based on the research of Robin Baden Clay, a grandson of Baden-Powell (B-P), along with additional links providing details of the Baden-Powell, Powell, Smyth and Warington families. The author is extremely grateful to Robin Baden Clay for sharing the results of his labors with the Scouting community. Several additional links on the Baden-Powells are provided for reference.


			"The Pedigree of the Family of Powell", compiled by Edgar Powell, 1891. (Courtesy of Robin Baden Clay).
			"The Powell Pedigree", published by Edgar Powell, 1894, revised 1926. (Courtesy of Robin Baden Clay).
			"The Powell Pedigree: 500 Years of Family History", prepared by Robin Baden Clay, 2001, updating the earlier works of Edgar Powell. (Courtesy of Robin Baden Clay).
			"The Powell Pedigree: Ancestor Map", prepared by Robin Baden Clay, 2002. (Courtesy of Robin Baden Clay).
			"Notices on the Life of Professor Baden Powell". Published at the time of his death in 1860 or soon thereafter, these notes provide some interesting background on the life and career of Baden-Powell's father. A bibliography of Professor Baden Powell's writings is included. (Courtesy of Robin Baden Clay).
			My thanks to Lachlan Cranswick of Melbourne, Australia for permission to use the materials on the Powell family pedigree and "Notices on the Life of Professor Baden Powell. His website, "Lachlan Cranswick's Personal Homepage in Melbourne, Australia" contains a wide variety of interesting materials -- genealogy, crystallography and geochemistry, several delightful photographic journeys, locations of pubs, and gnomes. It is certainly worth a visit. (The link on the left represents the Cranswick family arms).
			Through the research of Robin Baden Clay, Lachlan Cranswick of Melbourne, Australia, has now expanded coverage of the extended family of Lord Baden-Powell to include both the Warington and Smyth families.
			David Drew-Smythe has explored possible links between various branches of the Smithe and Smith, Smyth and Smythe and provides some interesting details of the Smyth family as associated with Baden-Powell.
			B-P's Father: the Reverend Professor Baden Powell, 1796-1860. In addition to holding the Savilian Chair of Geometry at Oxford, he was an early supporter of Darwin's Origin of the Species.
			Baden-Powell's father, the Reverend Baden Powell was a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford University. These web sites provide background on these honors.
			B-P's Mother: Henrietta Grace Baden-Powell (1824-1914). Links to Admiral W. H. Smyth (B-P's grandfather) and other members of the Smyth family including: Charles Piazzi Smyth, Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth, H. Warington Smyth, General Sir Nevill Maskelyne Smyth and Nevil Maskelyne.
			Major Baden F. S. Baden-Powell was B-P's youngest brother. He was a pioneer of military aviation, an officer in the Scot's Guards and a Fellow of both the Royal Aeronautical Society and Royal Geographical Society. He was author of In Savage Isles and Settled Lands published in 1892.
			Sir George S. Baden-Powell, MP was B-P's oldest brother. He served in the Colonial Service and as a Member of Parliament. He wrote an essay on "Policy and Wealth in Ashanti" published in R. S. S. Baden-Powell's. The Downfall of Prempeh (1896) and published works on early settlement in New Zealand and the "Irish Question."
			When he was young, Baden-Powell and his brothers built a canvas boat and took it on many adventures. His older brother, Henry Warington Smyth Baden-Powell, was to carry these youthful sea experiences with him through his life—in his exploits, his career and in helping B-P form the Sea Scouts in 1910.
			An unique source into the life of the Chief Guide is her autobiography, "Window on My Heart: The Autobiography of Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, G.B.E. as told to Mary Drewery." Chapters VII-XIX cover her life from her first meeting with B-P in 1912 until his passing in 1941. These chapters are reproduced by permission of the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton Limited, London.
			Olave Baden-Powell, The World Chief Guide. In 1912, young Olave St. Claire Soames married Robert Baden-Powell. Her boundless energy led to her being called "The Mother of Millions." Her unflagging support of B-P helped Scouting to grow even faster, and her own vision saw Guiding become the largest organization for girls and women ever seen.
			Admiral William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) was B-P's grandfather (father of B-P's mother, Henrietta Grace Baden-Powell). He rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy to retire as an Admiral in 1863. He was a noted hydrographer and astronomer and was Vice President of the Royal Society.
			Betty St, Clair Clay (1917-2004). "Betty Has Gone Home" The Hon. Mrs. Betty Clay, C.B.E. An Appreciation from the Chief Scout and the Chief Guide. From The Scout Association Portal. In Memory of The Hon. Mrs. Betty Clay, C.B.E.
			Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1394, The Mercers' Company is the premier Livery Company of the City of London. "The administration of charitable giving is the Company’s most important function. Over many centuries members of the Company, and other benefactors, have left money in trust for the Company to administer for charitable purposes." Since 1794, 32 members of the Powell Family have been Members of the Company, and 8 have served as Master. B-P was elected a Member in 1879, and was Master of the Company in 1913.
			Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the World Scout Movement, Chief Scout of the World. A Home Page for the Founder. Links Relating to Baden-Powell on the Pine Tree Web and elsewhere.

Return to the Pine Tree Web Home Page

Your feedback, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Please write to: Lewis P. Orans