Daniel Carter Beard is Born

Today in Masonic History Daniel Carter Beard is born in 1850.

Daniel Carter Beard was an American illustrator, author and youth leader.

Beard was born on June 21st, 1850 in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a young man he spent his times wandering in the woods and making sketches of nature. He moved with his family to Covington, Kentucky. In Kentucky he learned the stories of the pioneer life, information which served him well later in life.

Early in his career Beard worked as an engineer and a surveyor. He also attended art school in New York City. There he began writing a series of articles for St. Nicholas Magazine. The articles later turned into one of Beard's books called the The American Boy's Handy Book. The book contained projects for young men to engage in, outdoors and in all seasons. Beard also began illustrating books, including for Mark Twain.

In 1905, Beard founded the Sons of Daniel Boone, a youth organization for boys. At the same time he was writing articles under the name of Sons of Daniel Boone for Recreation Magazine. He later moved the articles to Woman's Home Companion. Due to a conflict with a new editor he moved the article once again, only this time Woman's Home Companion owned the title so he changed the name of the organization to Boy Pioneers of America.

In 1910, Beard merged his organization with the newly formed Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He became one of the first National Scout Commissioners and served in the position for 30 years. He also later become the editor of Boy's Life the official magazine of the BSA.

Beard went on to help his sister establish the Campfire Girls, an organization at it's founding taught camping and other outdoor activities to girls. Over the years it has since become co-ed and in 2001 changed it's name to Camp Fire USA and in 2012 just Camp Fire.

In 1915, at the age of 64, Beard received his Eagle Scout. Prior to the establishment of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, an award given to those who have attained their Eagle Scout and within 25 years of attaining it distinguish themselves in their profession or community, Beard was awarded the only "gold Eagle badge" in 1922.

Beard passed away on June 11th, 1941 just before his 91st birthday.

Beard was a member of Mariner's Lodge No. 67 in New York. BSA offers an award called the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter award which is given to Freemasons who act as role models and provide dedicated service to the members of the BSA.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.