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Encyclopedia > James E. West (Scouting)

Part of a series on
The Boy Scouts of America
Cub ScoutingBoy Scouting
Varsity ScoutingVenturing
Sea ScoutingOrder of the Arrow
Advancement & Recognition
Eagle ScoutList of notable Eagle Scouts
Merit Badges
History of the Boy Scouts of America
Founders
William D. BoyceJames E. West
Ernest Thompson SetonDaniel Carter Beard
History of Merit Badges
See also:
Awards and Honors
Bronze Wolf
Silver Buffalo Award
Honorary Alpha Phi Omega brother

Dr. James E. West (May 16, 1876May 15, 1948) was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who become the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), serving from 1911-1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout. Image File history File links James_E._West_(Scouting). ... For the Boy Scout program within the BSA, see Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts of America). ... Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys from first through fifth-grade, or 7–10 years of age and their families. ... This article is about the Boy Scout program within the BSA. For the national organization, see Boy Scouts of America. ... Varsity Scouting is part of the Boy Scouting program of the BSA. It is an alternative available to boys ages fourteen through seventeen that takes the basic Boy Scouting program and adds high adventure, sporting, and other elements that are more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of... The BSA Venturing Logo Venturing is a division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for young men and women ages 14–21. ... Sea Scouts is part of the Boy Scouts of Americas program for young adults, men and women, who are generally between the ages of 14 and 20. ... The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a program of the Boy Scout division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... Since its inception, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has had a tradition of advancement, honors and recognition. ... An Eagle Scout is a Scout with the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... This list of notable Eagle Scouts includes men who have earned the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... For history regarding merit badge types, see History of merit badges (Boy Scouts of America). ... The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was inspired by and modeled on the Boy Scout Association, established by Robert Baden-Powell in Britain in 1907. ... William D. Boyce William Dickson Boyce (June 16, 1858- June 11, 1929), was an American entrepreneur, best known today for founding the Boy Scouts of America. ... Ernest Thompson Seton (August 14, 1860 - October 23, 1946) was a noted author and founding pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America. ... Daniel Carter (Uncle Dan) Beard (June 21, 1850– June 11, 1941) was an American illustrator, author, and social reformer from Covington, Kentucky. ... BSA Merit Badge Samples: Gardening, Type A (center); Fish & Wildlife Management, Type J (upper right); Citizenship In The Home, Type E (lower right); Collections, Type H (lower left); Camping, Type D (upper left). ... Image File history File links Scout_logo2. ... The Bronze Wolf is the only award made by the World Scout Committee. ... The Silver Buffalo Award, created in 1925, is bestowed upon those adults who give truly noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. ... Alpha Phi Omega (commonly known as APO, but also ΑΦΩ, A-Phi-O, and A-Phi-Q) is a co-ed service fraternity organized to provide community service, leadership development, [1] and social opportunities to college students. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (137th in leap years). ... 1876 (MDCCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. ... For the Boy Scout program within the BSA, see Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts of America). ...

Contents

Early life

His father died around the time of his birth in Washington, D.C.[1] His mother was hospitalized with tuberculosis in 1882 and young Jimmie was placed in the Washington City Orphan Home; his mother died later that year. In 1883, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and by 1885 he was crippled, with one leg shorter than the other. At the orphanage, Jimmie was put to work with the girls, sewing and caning chairs. He became a voracious reader and took charge of the orphanage library. After convincing the staff that he could continue his chores (stoking the furnace and caring for chickens) he entered public school at the fifth grade. In 1895, he graduated with honors from Business High School, where he had edited the school newspaper, was business manager of the football team and had acted as a substitute math teacher. Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (=Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for Tubercle Bacillus) is a common and deadly infectious disease that is caused by mycobacteria, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ...


In late 1896, West was out of the orphanage and working as a tutor and as a bicycle mechanic. He attended National Law School while working as the assistant to the general secretary of the YMCA, and during the Spanish-American War, he acted as general secretary. He later worked as a clerk in the War Office. He received his Bachelor of Laws in 1900 and Master of Laws in 1901 and was admitted to the Washington, D.C. bar. President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the Board of Pension Appeals in the Department of the Interior in 1902. He was instrumental in establishing the juvenile court system, pushing a bill through Congress. Combatants United States Republic of Cuba Philippine Republic Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Casualties 3,289 U.S. dead (only 432 from combat); considerably higher although undetermined Cuban and Filipino casualties Unknown[1] The Spanish... Line drawing of the Department of Wars seal. ... The degree of Bachelor of Laws is the principal academic degree in law in most common law countries other than the United States, where it has been replaced by the Juris Doctor degree. ... The Master of Laws is an advanced law degree, commonly abbreviated LL.M. (also LLM or LL.M) from its Latin name, Legum Magister. ... A bar association is a professional body of lawyers who, in some jurisdictions, are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession. ... Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, Jr. ... The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally owned land. ... Juvenile courts or young offender courts are courts specifically created and given authority to try and pass judgments for crimes committed by persons who have not attained the age of majority. ...


West was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Sunday School superintendent for the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church. In the early 1900s, he was the finance chairman for the Boys Brigade and the secretary of the Washington Playground Association, later the Playground Association of America. He later served as secretary of the National Child Rescue League, responsible for placing orphaned children into homes. West was then the secretary of the White House Conference on Dependent Children, pushing for reforms in the management of orphanages. The Masonic Square and Compasses. ... The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization founded at Washington, DC on 19 February 1864. ... Sunday school, Indians and whites. ... The Boys Brigade is a non-denominational Christian youth organization in the New Zealand, Australia and several other countries. ...


He married Marion Speaks on June 19, 1907, and James Ellis West was born on December 25, 1909. In 1910, West was looking to open a private law office. Edgar Robinson, the current managing secretary of the BSA wanted to return to his full time position at the YMCA, so Colin Livingstone, the president of the BSA put out inquiries. Ernest Bicknell of the American Red Cross wrote to Luther Gulick, president of the Playground Association of America and recommended West for the position. After much persuasion West finally accepted the position temporarily for six months, and moved to New York City. June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 6 days remaining in the year. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the association. ... A WWII-era poster encouraged American women to volunteer for the Red Cross as part of the war effort. ... Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D., (December 4, 1865–August 13, 1918) was an American physical education instructor, international basketball official, and founder of the Camp Fire Girls, an international youth organization now known as Camp Fire USA (as its members are female and male). ... New York, NY redirects here. ...


Early Scouting

The new BSA office on 5th Avenue opened in January of 1911 with West at the helm and the movement began to grow at a rapid pace. Sixty local councils were organized in January and hundreds of Scoutmasters were commissioned. The office grew from six to thirty-five employees by May. One of his first tasks was the first edition of The Official Handbook for Boys. West was instrumental in expanding the third part of the Scout Oath: The Boy Scouts is the official handbook of the Boy Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. ... Since the birth of Scouting in 1907, all Scouts around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. ...

To help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.[2]

He also pushed to add three parts to the Scout Law: brave, clean, and reverent. West changed his title, and in November of 1911 he became the first Chief Scout Executive. His starting salary was $4,000 per year and was raised to $6,000 per year in July (equivalent to about $127,000 in 2005).[3] Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. ... The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. ...


Controversies

West dealt with many early issues. Labor unions protested over wording in the original Official Handbook that had been copied from the British Scouting for Boys that was perceived as antiunion– this had already been removed from the first edition. West also dealt with those who protested against the inclusion of African Americans. West held that they should be included, but that local communities should follow the same policies that they followed in the school systems. Thus, much of the American south as well as many major northern communities had segregated programs with "colored troops" until the late 1940s. Since the BSA had early and enduring ties with the YMCA, a firmly Protestant organization, the Catholic church forbade their boys to join. West successfully argued that Scouting was non-sectarian and the Catholics accepted the BSA program in 1913. Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship Through Woodcraft is the first book on Scouting. ...


As early as 1910, Daniel Carter Beard and Ernest Thompson Seton had various arguments over who was the founder of Scouting. Programs for boys had been advanced by Seton in 1902, Beard in 1905 and Baden-Powell in 1906. Since Baden-Powell had based parts of the program on Seton's work, Seton claimed to be the founder. By 1915, the conflicts between had escalated and in an attempt to defuse the situation, West devised the legend of the Unknown Scout that emphasized Boyce as the founder of the BSA. Daniel Carter (Uncle Dan) Beard (June 21, 1850– June 11, 1941) was an American illustrator, author, and social reformer from Covington, Kentucky. ... Ernest Thompson Seton (August 14, 1860 - October 23, 1946) was a noted author and founding pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America. ... For the musician, see Baden Powell de Aquino. ...


Beard and Seton did not get along with West. Seton had different goals for the program and views of how Scouting should develop. Both Seton and Beard saw West as a city lawyer and administrator. Seton often challenged West's authority, often to his own detriment. The National Executive Board did not re-elect Seton as Chief Scout in 1915 and he soon stopped publishing in Boys' Life. By early 1916, Seton was officially out of the BSA program, and most of his contributions were removed from the 1916 edition of the handbook.


West negotiated the purchase of Boys' Life in 1912, making it the official magazine of the BSA. The cover of Boys Life from July 1917. ...


Scouting

However, while he did not carry the title, John M. Alexander, was the first person to serve as head of the fledging organization with the title of Managing Secretary, serving from May to October, 1910. He was replaced by Edgar M. Robinson, who had set up BSA's original one-room national office and recruited Alexander to run it. Robinson later hired West to replace Alexander. Neither Robinson nor Alexander wanted to run BSA permanently, so they returned to the YMCA and turned BSA's reigns over to West.[4]


Besides being a key person in the growth of the BSA, West more than any other person created a well-organized national structure that was a key to the BSA's growth and reputation.


He intended to make Scouting only a temporary diversion from his legal career, but that changed with the tremendous growth of the movement. West for many years resisted the creation of a Cubbing program for younger boys and an Explorer program for older boys, feeling that they would take Scouts away from the main program, youths aged 11-18. Cub Scouts in uniform from Hong Kong A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons normally aged 8–10. ... This term should not be confused with Explorer Scouts, which is the English equivalent of Exploring. ... Look up Scout in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Scout can refer to: International Harvester Scout, an SUV Reconnaissance Scouting, the world-wide youth organization Scout rank (Boy Scouts of America) Scout (comic), a comic book from Eclipse Comics. ...


In spite of these problems, West persevered in building the BSA into a large, highly respected national organization, that either absorbed or outgrew the similar competing organizations in the early days of Scouting in America. Without his skills, this would not have happened.


Legacy

James E. West grave.
James E. West grave.

After James E. West retired as Chief Scout Executive, Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell succeeded him. Dr. West served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1939 until 1947. International Scouting honored West with the Bronze Wolf award. He is buried in a grave in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1130 KB) Jack Sears Scout Executive Westchester-Putnam Council Boy Scouts of America www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1130 KB) Jack Sears Scout Executive Westchester-Putnam Council Boy Scouts of America www. ... The World Scout Committee is the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). ... The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is the supranational organization which governs most national Scout Movements, with 28 million members. ... The Bronze Wolf is the only award made by the World Scout Committee. ... Kensico Cemetery, located in Valhalla, Westchester Co. ... Valhalla is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in the town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester County, New York. ...


Partial list of works

  • Lone Scout of the Air. (1927)

A biography of Charles Lindberg Charles Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. ...

  • The Boy Scout's Book of True Adventure, Fourteen Honorary Scouts, with Foreword By Theodore Roosevelt and Biographical Notes By James E. West. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York (1931) --

Essays include: "Scouting Against the Apache" by Frederick R. Burnham, "How I Learned to Fly" by Orville Wright, "An Arctic Mirage" by Donald B. MacMillan, "Adventurous Hunting" by Kermit Roosevelt, "In the Arctic" by Lincoln Ellsworth, "A Tobacco Trade" by George Bird Grinnell, "The Black Ghosts of the Tana River" by James L. Clark, "My Flight Over the Atlantic" by Richard E. Byrd, "In the Jungles of Cochin-China" by Theodore Roosevelt, "Shipwreck" by Robert A. Bartlett, "Written in the Air" by Charles A. Lindbergh, "Tiger! Tiger!" by Merian C. Cooper, "The First Crossing of the Polar Sea" by Lincoln Ellsworth, "Bandits" by Clifford H. Pope, and "Adventure" by Stewart Edward White. All 13 photo plates of the honorary Scouts are present; both Roosevelts in the same photo. Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, Jr. ... Frederick Russell Burnham, DSO (1861-1947), an American scout and world travelling adventurer is best known for his service to the British Army in Colonial Africa and for teaching woodcraft (i. ... Orville Wright (August 19, 1871 - January 30, 1948), the younger of the Wright brothers, seen as one of the fathers of heavier-than-air flight. ... Kermit Roosevelt, explorer, author and soldier, accompanied his father, Theodore Roosevelt on several expeditions to Africa and the Amazon Kermit Roosevelt I (October 10, 1889 – June 4, 1943) was a son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (also known as TR). ... Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, Jr. ... Charles Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. ...

  • The Boy Scout's Book of Honor edited by James West, (1931)
  • He-who-sees-in-the-dark; the boys' story of Frederick Burnham, the American scout, by James E. West and Peter O. Lamb; illustrated by Baden-Powell. (1932)
  • Making the Most of Yourself (1941)

Collection of his Boys' Life columns. Frederick Russell Burnham, DSO (1861-1947), an American scout and world travelling adventurer is best known for his service to the British Army in Colonial Africa and for teaching woodcraft (i. ... For the musician, see Baden Powell de Aquino. ... The cover of Boys Life from July 1917. ...


See also

Preceded by
none
Chief Scout Executive
1911-1943
Succeeded by
Elbert K. Fretwell

A commemorative stamp featuring Lord Baden-Powells Paxtu cottage and Lady Baden-Powell has been issued by Kenya Throughout the world there are many Scouting memorials, monuments and gravesites. ... The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. ...

References

  1. ^ Rowan, Edward L (2005). To Do My Best: James E. West and the History of the Boy Scouts of America. Las Vegas International Scouting Museum. ISBN 0-9746479-1-8. 
  2. ^ Hillcourt, William (1964). Boy Scout Handbook, Sixth edition, Boy Scouts of America, Page 359. 
  3. ^ Six Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 - 2005. MeasuringWorth.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
  4. ^ Peterson, Robert (1998). The BSA's 'forgotten' founding father. Scouting Magazine. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2006-03-10.
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Scouting Topics
25 articles
Scouting in the United States

Scouting in the United States • Featured articleGirl Scouts of the USA • GSUSA Local Coucils • Girl Scout levels (USA) Image File history File links Hatcombine. ... Scouting in the United States can refer to Scouting associations that are recognized by one of the international Scouting organizations as well as independent groups that are considered to be Scout-likeor otherwise Scouting related. ... Image File history File links Featured_article_star. ... The Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. ... The Girl Scouts of the USA have five age levels: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior. ...

21 articles
Boy Scouts of America

Good article+ Boy Scouts of America • Cub Scouting • Good article+ Boy Scouting • Varsity Scouting • Venturing BSA • Sea Scouting • Order of the Arrow • BSA Advancement & recognition • Featured articleEagle Scout • Featured articleNotable Eagle Scouts • Merit Badges • Featured articleHistory of Merit Badges • History of the BSA • William D. Boyce • Ernest Thompson Seton • James E. West (Scouting) • Daniel Carter Beard • BSA Uniform & insignia • Boy Scout Handbook • BSA Local Councils • Featured articleBSA membership controveries Image File history File links Hatcombine. ... Image File history File links Symbol_support_vote. ... For the Boy Scout program within the BSA, see Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts of America). ... Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys from first through fifth-grade, or 7–10 years of age and their families. ... Image File history File links Symbol_support_vote. ... This article is about the Boy Scout program within the BSA. For the national organization, see Boy Scouts of America. ... Varsity Scouting is part of the Boy Scouting program of the BSA. It is an alternative available to boys ages fourteen through seventeen that takes the basic Boy Scouting program and adds high adventure, sporting, and other elements that are more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of... The BSA Venturing Logo Venturing is a division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for young men and women ages 14–21. ... Sea Scouts is part of the Boy Scouts of Americas program for young adults, men and women, who are generally between the ages of 14 and 20. ... The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a program of the Boy Scout division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... Since its inception, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has had a tradition of advancement, honors and recognition. ... Image File history File links Featured_article_star. ... An Eagle Scout is a Scout with the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... Image File history File links Featured_article_star. ... This list of notable Eagle Scouts includes men who have earned the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... For history regarding merit badge types, see History of merit badges (Boy Scouts of America). ... Image File history File links Featured_article_star. ... BSA Merit Badge Samples: Gardening, Type A (center); Fish & Wildlife Management, Type J (upper right); Citizenship In The Home, Type E (lower right); Collections, Type H (lower left); Camping, Type D (upper left). ... The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was inspired by and modeled on the Boy Scout Association, established by Robert Baden-Powell in Britain in 1907. ... William D. Boyce William Dickson Boyce (June 16, 1858- June 11, 1929), was an American entrepreneur, best known today for founding the Boy Scouts of America. ... Ernest Thompson Seton (August 14, 1860 - October 23, 1946) was a noted author and founding pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America. ... Daniel Carter (Uncle Dan) Beard (June 21, 1850– June 11, 1941) was an American illustrator, author, and social reformer from Covington, Kentucky. ... The Uniform and insignia of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) gives a Scout visibility and creates a level of identity within both the unit and the community. ... The Boy Scouts is the official handbook of the Boy Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. ... Image File history File links Featured_article_star. ... The Boy Scouts of America logo The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the largest youth organization in the United States (U.S.), has policies which prohibit certain people from membership and participation. ...


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