Florence Soper

Florence Eleanor Soper was born in Blaina, Wales on the 12th of September 1861. She was the eldest daughter of Dr Isbel Soper and Jenny Soper (nee Levick). She was a gifted girl and the family were not pleased when she was taken up by The Salvation Army, she became friendly with the Booth family including their son Bramwell and on the 12th of October 1882 she was married to Bramwell Booth who in 1912 was to become the 2nd General of The Salvation Army. In 1884 Florence inaugurated The Women's Social Work which was run from a small house in Hanbury Street, Whitechapel. She continued to lead this pioneering aspect of The Salvation Army's work for the next 28 years, until Bramwell became General.Florence and Bramwell had five daughters, Catherine, Mary B., Florence Miriam, Olive E., Dora and two sons Bramwell Bernard and William Wycliffe. Florence died on the 10th June 1957 and was buried with Bramwell at Abney Park Cemetery.