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Sir William Alexander Smith (October 27, 1854 - May 10, 1914), the founder of the Boys' Brigade, was born in Pennyland House, Thurso, Scotland. He was the eldest son of Major David Smith and his wife Harriet. He and his siblings formed a family of three sons and and one daughter. Image File history File links Scout_logo2. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Boys Brigade Corporate Logo The Boys Brigade (the BB) is an international non-denominational Christian youth organisation. ... St. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity(English) Wha daur meddle wi me? (Scots)[1] Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots[2] Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I...

Education

As a boy, William Smith was educated at the Miller Instituition, known as the “Thurso Academy”.

Following his father's death, his family moved to Glasgow. In early January 1869, William Smith became a pupil in a private school, The Western Educational Institution, more widely known as “Burns’ and Sutherland’s School”. In this first and only term there, he took seven prizes. His time in the institution was short-lived as he ended his school days late in May, at the age of fourteen and a half.

Nonetheless, Smith did not cease his education altogether. His writings in a notebook indicated that he continued to take French classes after joining his uncle's business.

Late Adolescence and Adulthood

In October 1869, a few days before he became fifteen, William Smith entered his uncle’s business. Alex. Fraser & Co. were wholesale dealers in “soft goods”, shawls being one of their chief market.

At the age of 19, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in the 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers. He also joined the church in that same year.

By 1883 Smith had advanced to the rank of Lieutenant and was a Sunday School teacher. It was a combination of these two activities that led him to start the Boys' Brigade on October 4th 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow. In 1909 he was knighted by King Edward VII for his service to Boys. The Boys Brigade Corporate Logo The Boys Brigade (the BB) is an international non-denominational Christian youth organisation. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of the Commonwealth Realms, and the Emperor of India. ...

He died on 10 May 1914 and was buried in Glasgow. There is a memorial stone in honour of him in St. Paul's Cathedral. St Pauls Cathedral is a cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London in London, and the seat of the Bishop of London. ...