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MeritBadgeDotOrg Staff Dr. James E. West (May 16, 1876 – May 15,
1948) was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who
become the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy
Scouts of America, serving from 1911-1943. Upon his retirement
from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout. When the
new BSA office opened in January 1911 West was at the helm and
the movement began to grow at a rapid pace. Sixty local councils
were organized in the first month of his tenure. One of his
first tasks was the first edition of Boy Scout Handbook. West
was instrumental in expanding the third part of the Scout Oath:
...To help other people at all times; to keep myself physically
strong, mentally awake and morally straight. He also pushed to
add three parts