James E. West was an attorney active with juvenile cases in Washington DC. He was recruited in 1911 as Executive Secretary, in part because Boyce wanted the BSA based in natioanal capital to demonstrate the organization's national character. West changed his title to Chief Scout Executive. He 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 remained Chief Scout Executive from 1911 until he retired in 1943. Scouting founder Willam D. Boyce did not get along with West. Boyce saw Scouting has his own organization. As a result of the quarel and differences of opinion, West had Boyce's name virtually deleted from BSA records. West also had problems with Ernest Thompson Seaton another founder of the Scouting movement. Both Seaton and West were strong-willed individuals. They had conflicting ideas on how Scouting should develop. Seton was deeply committed to the ethos of Scouting saw West as a city lawyer and simple administrator/ He challenged West's authority to control the young program's development. West controlled the BSA organization and power base, and forced Seton out in 1916. Seaton's writing was removed from the Boy Scout Handbook. Drspite Seaton's departure, like Boyce, these men left an indelible impression on American Scouting. West for many years resisted the creation of a Cubbing program for younger boys.
James was born in Washington, D.C. (1876). His father died at about the time James was born. His mother had to be hospitalized with tuberculosis when Jimmie was still very young (1882). James was placed in the Washington City Orphan Home. After which his mother died, leaving him an orphan.
James called Jummie had a rough childhood. When his mother contracted tuberculosis he was placed in the Washington City Orphan Home (1882). There was no extended family to take him in. He apparently contracted the disease from her. He may have contracted polilo as well. He was reported as a cripped boy. One leg did not develop properly and was shorter than the other. At the orphanage, because of his disability, James was given work assignments with girls--sewing and caning chairs. He turned to reading. He virtually took over the orphanage library.
He decided he wanted to enter the local public school. The orphanage staff was concerned it would interfere with his chores (stoking the coal furnace and feeding chickens). He began in the 5th grade.
James graduated with honors from Business High School (1895). At the highschool he edited the school newspaper, served as the football team's business manager, and occassionally taught match when the teacher was absent. Despite the lack of family support, West mamaged to go to college and graduate from law school, a major accomplishment at the time. After leaving the orphanage, he worked as a tutor and a bicycle mechanic (1896). He attended National Law School while supporting himself as the assistant to the general secretary of the YMCA. Here he developed an interest in youth work.
He earned his Bachelor of Laws (1900) and Master of Laws (1901). He was admitted to the Washington, D.C. bar.
The Spanish American War interupted his studies. West volunteered during the Spanish-American War and worked as a clerk. After the War he worked as a clerk in the War Office.
President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the Board of Pension Appeals in the Department of the Interior (1902). He played an important role in creating the juvenile court system, helping to convince Congress to pass a law. Another impressive accomplishment for such a young man. West became a successful attorney in Washington DC. Perhaps because of his background, he became active with juvenile cases.
West became a a Mason and joined the Knights of Pythias. He became the Sunday School superintendent for the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church. He got involved with youth work. West was willing to do the mundane organizational and administrative work that did not appeal to others. He became interesting in the Boys' Brigade. This was a predecessor to the Boy Scouts more closely tied to Christian churches. It proved to be stronger in Britain, but was organized in many British colonies and the Unitd States.
He worked as finance chairman for the Boys Brigade and the secretary of the Washington Playground Association which eventually develope into the Playground Association of America. He lsubsequently served as secretary of the National Child Rescue League whoch worked to find homes for orphaned children. West was appointed as secretary of the White House Conference on Dependent Children. Here he worked for reforms in the operation of orphanages. Thus at the time the Boy Scouts were organized, West had a very impressive record of youth work.
The Boy Scouts of America were fouded by William D. Boyce and others in 1911. The BSA used many of the precepts of Baden-Powell's British Scouting movement and was heavily influenced by William Seaton and Daniel Beard. Several other groups had been founded earlier and about the same time with similar approaches and goals. What was lacking in many of these efforts was an effective organizational and administrative effort needed to build a national organization. Boyce himself was a businessman and had no interest in devoting his life to actually running the Boy Scouts.
James West wanted to open a private law office in Washington (1910). The early Scout operations were in the hands of John M. Alexander was serving as Managing Secretary (May to October 1910). Alexander worked under the general direction of Edgar M. Robinson, who had financed the BSA's original office. It was a one-room national office locted in New York. Neither Robinson nor Alexander wanted turn the BSA into a career. Colin H. Livingstone was the president of the BSA and began a search for a permannt Executive Secretary. Ernest Bicknell of the American Red Cross wrote to Luther Gulick, president of the Playground Association of America and recommended West for the position. West at the time was focused on his legal career, but was finally persuaded to accepted the position temporarily for 6 months until a permanent person could be found for the position (1911). West moved to New York City. Robinson returned to the the YMCA. West not only had an amazing resume, but he lived in Washington, DC.
Boyce wanted the BSA based in natioanal capital to demonstrate the organization's national character. West changed his title to Chief Scout Executive. Showing the same determination that got him through law school with limited finances. He was forced to make a range of decessions, not all of them to his liking. One of the most difficult issues was race. West provided the organizational skill needed to build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in the country. West remained Chief Scout Executive from 1911 until he retired in 1943--a rather long 6 months. When he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America. He 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.
Scouting founder Willam D. Boyce did not get along with West. Boyce saw Scouting as his own organization. He did not want to involve himself in day to day operations, but he wanted to control the organization. As a result, of the quarel and differences of opinion, West had Boyce's name virtually deleted from BSA records.
West also had problems with Ernest Thompson Seaton another founder of the Scouting movement. Both Seaton and West were strong-willed individuals. They had conflicting ideas on how Scouting should develop. Seton was deeply committed to the ethos of Scouting saw West as a city lawyer and simple administrator. He challenged West's authority to control the young program's development. West controlled the BSA organization and power base, and forced Seton out in 1916. Seaton's writing was removed from the Boy Scout Handbook. Drspite Seaton's departure, like Boyce, these men left an indelible impression on American Scouting.
West married Marion Speaks (June 19, 1907). The Wests had five children. James "Jimmie" Ellis West was born (December 25, 1909). Arthur was born (1912). Marion ws born (1914). Jimmie died of pneumonia while Marion was pregnant with Helen (1916) Bob was born (1917).
West published occassional articles for Boys' Life as well as a mumber of books. Lone Scout of the Air (1927) was a biography of Charles Lindbergh. The Boy Scout's Book of True Adventure (G. P. Putnam's Sons: New York, 1931) was an account of 14 honorary scouts. There was a foreword By Theodore Roosevelt and biographical notes by West.
The Boy Scout's Book of Honor (1931) was edited by West.
He-who-sees-in-the-dark (1932) was the boys' story of Frederick Burnham, the American scout. It was written by West and Peter O. Lamb and illustrated by Baden-Powell. West's last book was Making the Most of Yourself (1941).
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Chronology Pages:
[Return to the Main chronologies page]
[The 1840s] [The 1850s] [The 1860s] [The 1870s] [The 1880s] [The 1890s]
[The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Web Site:
[Return to the Main biography page]
[Activities] [Biographies] [Chronologies] [Countries] [Essays] [Garments] [Organizations] [Religion] [Other]
[Introduction] [Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Questions] [Unknown images]
[Boys' Uniform Home]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Web organization pages:
[Boys' Brigade] [Camp Fire] [Hitler Youth] [National] [Pioneers] [Royal Rangers] [Scout]