Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army, died from cancer at Clacton-on-Sea on 4 October 1890. She was 60 and had spent much of her adult life working alongside her husband, William Booth, while developing a public religious role of her own.

Catherine married William in 1855. Four years later she published Female Ministry, defending the right of women to preach. In 1860 she began preaching herself and became a successful public speaker.

In 1865 Catherine and William established the Christian Mission in London’s East End. The organisation was renamed the Salvation Army in 1878. Catherine’s arguments and example helped establish a place for women as preachers and ministers within the movement.

Her work also included social reform. She campaigned against the poor working conditions and low pay women faced in London’s sweated industries, including match workers.

Catherine suffered from cancer during the final years of her life. Her death removed one of the Salvation Army’s founders and one of its strongest advocates for women’s ministry.