Author Description

Catherine Booth (1829-1890) was the wife of the founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth. Because of her influence in the formation of The Salvation Army she was known as the 'Army Mother'. Catherine was a member of the local Band of Hope and a supporter of the national Temperance Society. She began to be more active in the work of the church at Brighouse. At that time, it was unheard of for women to speak in adult meetings; however, she was convinced that women had an equal right to speak. The Booths began the work of The Christian Mission in 1865. The name was changed in 1878 to The Salvation Army and William Booth became known as the General. She was behind many of the changes in the new organization, designing the flag and bonnets for the ladies, and contributed to the Army's ideas on many important issues and matters of belief. Her works include: Papers on Practical Religion (1879) and Papers on Aggressive Christianity (1883).