Elbert Hubbard

Elbert Hubbard was a prominent American writer, philosopher, and artist, known for his contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement and his founding of the Roycroft community. He was influenced by the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, and his writings often reflected his interest in Socialism, Anarchism, and Individualism. Hubbard's life was marked by his association with notable figures such as Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, and Emma Goldman. His writings were widely published in magazines like The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Magazine, and The Century Magazine.

● Early Life and Education

Elbert Hubbard was born in Bloomington, Illinois, to a family of modest means, and his early life was shaped by his experiences growing up in the American Midwest. He attended Bloomington High School and later enrolled in Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas, where he developed an interest in Literature and Philosophy. Hubbard's education was also influenced by his readings of Plato, Aristotle, and Immanuel Kant, which shaped his thoughts on Ethics, Metaphysics, and Epistemology. He was particularly drawn to the ideas of Charles Darwin, Herbert Spencer, and Thomas Henry Huxley, which reflected his interest in Evolutionary theory and Scientific naturalism.

● Career

Hubbard's career as a writer and philosopher began to take shape in the late 19th century, when he became associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and the Aesthetic movement. He was influenced by the works of William Morris, John Ruskin, and Oscar Wilde, and his writings often reflected his interest in Art criticism, Design, and Architecture. Hubbard's career was also marked by his association with notable publications like The Philistine, The Fra, and The Roycroft Quarterly, which showcased his writings on Politics, Society, and Culture. He was a frequent contributor to magazines like The Nation, The New Republic, and The Dial, and his writings were widely discussed by intellectuals like George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, and Upton Sinclair.

● Roycroft Movement

The Roycroft movement, founded by Hubbard in 1895, was a community of artists, writers, and craftsmen who sought to promote the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. The movement was influenced by the ideas of John Ruskin and William Morris, and its members included notable figures like Dard Hunter, Helen Keller, and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Roycroft community was known for its emphasis on Handicrafts, Design, and Architecture, and its members produced a wide range of works, including Furniture, Textiles, and Bookbinding. The movement was also associated with the Arts and Crafts Society, the Society of Arts and Crafts, and the Craftsman movement, which reflected its interest in Art education, Craftsmanship, and Community building.

● Personal Life

Hubbard's personal life was marked by his relationships with notable women like Bertha Crawford Hubbard and Alice Moore Hubbard, who were both involved in the Roycroft movement. He was also associated with other notable figures like Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, and Isadora Duncan, who reflected his interest in Feminism, Anarchism, and Free love. Hubbard's personal life was also shaped by his experiences with Spiritualism and Theosophy, which influenced his thoughts on Mysticism, Occultism, and Eastern philosophy. He was a frequent visitor to the Theosophical Society and the Spiritualist Church, and his writings often reflected his interest in Parapsychology and Psychical research.

● Death and Legacy

Hubbard's death on May 7, 1915, was a tragic event that shocked the literary and artistic communities. He died in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. Hubbard's legacy was marked by his contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement and the Roycroft community, which continued to inspire artists, writers, and craftsmen long after his death. His writings were widely read and discussed by intellectuals like George Santayana, John Dewey, and Thorstein Veblen, and his ideas on Individualism, Socialism, and Anarchism continued to influence Politics and Society in the 20th century.

● Literary Works

Hubbard's literary works include a wide range of writings on Philosophy, Literature, and Art criticism. His most famous work is probably A Message to Garcia, which was widely read and discussed in the early 20th century. He also wrote extensively on Politics, Society, and Culture, and his writings were published in magazines like The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Magazine, and The Century Magazine. Hubbard's literary works were influenced by the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, and his writings often reflected his interest in Transcendentalism, Romanticism, and Realism. His works continue to be read and studied by scholars and intellectuals today, and his legacy as a writer and philosopher remains an important part of American literary history.