Robert Baden-Powell. founder of scout & Guide Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell , in full Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell , also called (1922–29) Sir Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baronet , (born February 22, 1857, London , England—died January 8, 1941, Nyeri , Kenya), British army officer who became a national hero for his 217-day defense of Mafeking (now Mafikeng ) in the South African War of 1899–1902; he later became famous as founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (also called Girl Scouts ). In 1884–85 Baden-Powell became noted for his use of observation balloons in warfare in Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and the Sudan. From October 12, 1899, to May 17, 1900, he defended Mafeking, holding off a much larger Boer force until the siege was lifted. After the war he recruited and trained the South African constabulary. On returning to England in 1903, he was appointed inspector general of cavalry,