Catherine Mumford Booth (1829-1890) - Find a Grave Memorial

Salvation Army Co-founder. Born Catherine Mumford, the daughter of John and Sarah Milward Mumford in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England. Raised in a pious household, by 14 she had contributed temperance articles to local publications. In 1852, Methodist minister William Booth was invited to preach at her church where they met and were later engaged. After a three year engagement, they were married in London where they then founded the Whitechapel Christian Mission in 1865 in London's East End. Initially, Booth preached while Catherine sought contributions for their ministry. The mission was reorganized in 1878 along military lines, and renamed the Salvation Army. Preachers were dubbed officers and Booth was called the general while Catherine became known as the Mother of the Army. Distinguishing themselves from the hundreds of East End charities with the idea of an Army actively fighting sin caught attention and the Army began to grow rapidly. Within the Salvation Army, equal standing for women preachers and welfare workers was unique at the time. Catherine was known as an inspiring speaker. She also campaigned for equal pay for female factory workers and founded Food-for-the-Million Shops where the needy could buy hot soup. In addition, she and Booth had eight children, two of whom would also serve as generals of the Salvation Army. When she fell ill and died at the age of 61, more than 36,000 mourners attended her funeral.

Bio by: Iola