General William Booth (April 10,1829 - August 21,1912) was a prominent Methodist evangelist and the founder of The Salvation Army. The author of many books and composer of several songs, Booth catalysed the merging discontent of the industrial revolution and the Victorian era through the 'submerged tenth'.

His book In Darkest England And The Way Out not only caused a sensation after its 1890 release, but it set the foundation for modern social welfare schemes.

Booth himself explained, "Salvationism means simply the overcoming and banishing from the earth of wickedness". His mission was to win the world for Jesus. The Salvation Army was a classic 'ultra-revivalist movement', preaching repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the means of forgiveness and regeneration.