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Elbert Green Hubbard
Elbert Green Hubbard (1856-1915) was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. I was born in Bloomington, Illinois, and mostly educated myself. He worked as a traveling salesman before starting his own publishing company in 1895, which eventually became the Roycroft Press.
“A Message to Garcia” was published in 1899 and became immensely popular as Hubbard’s best-known essay. The essay praises the virtues of initiative and loyalty, and tells the story of a soldier who was able to deliver a message to a distant commander despite many obstacles. The essay became a widely circulated symbol in the US military, embodying the American can-do spirit.
Hubbard wrote on philosophy, art, and personal development, in addition to his other renowned areas. He believed in the importance of living a simple and self-reliant life, and promoted the idea of the “self-made man.” He wrote several books, including “Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great,” a series of biographical sketches of famous people, and “The Message to Garcia and Thirteen Other Things,” a collection of his essays.
Hubbard died in 1915, along with his wife, in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German submarine during World War I.
Early life
Elbert Green Hubbard was born on June 19, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois. His parents were Silas Hubbard and Juliana Frances Read. His father was a civil war veteran and a successful merchant, and his mother was a schoolteacher.
Hubbard was the fifth of nine children in his family. He had a strong interest in literature and writing from a young age and mostly educated himself. He attended high school for a brief period but dropped out to help support his family.
In 1872, at the age of 16, Hubbard moved to Buffalo, New York, to work as a clerk in his uncle’s law office. He later worked as a traveling salesman for various companies, including Larkin Soap Company, where he developed his skills in advertising and marketing.
In 1879, Hubbard married Bertha Crawford, and they had four children together. Hubbard continued to work as a salesman and advertising copywriter, and he also started writing and publishing his own literary works.
In 1895, Hubbard founded the Roycroft Press in East Aurora, New York, which produced books, magazines, and other printed materials. The press became known for its high-quality craftsmanship and artistry, and it attracted many talented writers and artists to work for it.
Elbert Green Hubbard Career
Elbert Green Hubbard’s career was varied and included many different pursuits. Here are some of the highlights:
Writer: Hubbard was a prolific writer who authored more than 100 books and countless essays, articles, and other works. His writing covered a wide range of topics, including philosophy, art, personal development, and business.
Publisher: In 1895, Hubbard founded the Roycroft Press in East Aurora, New York. The press attracted talented writers and artists with its high-quality craftsmanship and artistry.
Businessman: Throughout his life, Hubbard was involved in several other businesses, in addition to publishing ventures. He worked as a traveling salesman for various companies early in his career, and later owned and operated a soap-making business, a printing company, and a magazine.
Philosopher: Hubbard emphasized the importance of living a simple and self-reliant life through his philosophical writings. He believed in the idea of the “self-made man” and encouraged people to pursue their passions and interests.
Lecturer: Hubbard was a popular lecturer and traveled around the country giving speeches on a variety of topics. His wit, humor, and engaging speaking style made him well-known.
Artist: In addition to his writing and publishing work, Hubbard was also a talented artist who worked in a variety of mediums, including stained glass, metalwork, and book design.
Hubbard’s spirit was restless and entrepreneurial, and he had a deep commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
Personal Life
Elbert Green Hubbard lived a complex personal life, marked by both success and tragedy.
Hubbard married Bertha Crawford in 1879, and they had four children together. In the early 1900s, their marriage was troubled, and they separated for a time before reconciling.
In 1914, Hubbard met Alice Moore, a young writer and artist who was working at the Roycroft Press. Hubbard and Bertha were married at the time, but they fell in love and began a romantic relationship, which was scandalous. Hubbard and Moore eventually decided to leave their spouses and start a new life together.
They boarded the RMS Lusitania in May 1915, but their plans were interrupted. A German submarine sank the ship, and Hubbard and Moore died in the sinking. Hubbard’s son Bert also died in the sinking, while his wife Bertha survived.
Hubbard maintained a positive outlook and remained dedicated to personal growth and self-improvement, despite facing personal tragedies in his life. He believed in the importance of living a meaningful life and leaving a positive impact on the world.
Award and Achievement
Elbert Green Hubbard’s legacy and achievements are mainly in his contributions to literature, publishing, and the arts. Here are some of his notable awards and accomplishments:
Founder of the Roycroft Press: Hubbard founded the Roycroft Press in 1895, which became a renowned printing and publishing company known for its high-quality craftsmanship and artistry.
Author of “A Message to Garcia”: Millions of copies of Hubbard’s essay “A Message to Garcia” were sold after its publication in 1899, gaining immense popularity. The essay became a widely circulated symbol in the US military, embodying the American can-do spirit.
“Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great”: The 14-volume series of biographical sketches, “Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great,” by Hubbard, was published between 1902 and 1916. The series featured profiles of famous historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Bonaparte, and William Shakespeare.
The Roycrofters: Hubbard’s followers, known as the Roycrofters, were a group of artists and craftsmen who worked for the Roycroft Press and were known for their high-quality work in bookbinding, metalwork, and other crafts.
Honorary Doctorate: At Tufts College in Massachusetts, Hubbard was granted an honorary doctorate in literature.
Networth
Hubbard’s most profitable venture was the Roycroft Press, which he founded in 1895 and which became a successful printing and publishing business. Hubbard was a popular lecturer and traveled around the country giving speeches, which would have also generated income for him.
According to some sources, Hubbard’s estate was valued at around $1 million at the time of his death in 1915, which would be equivalent to several million dollars today.
Quotes
Elbert Green Hubbard was a prolific writer and philosopher, and he left behind many memorable quotes that continue to inspire readers today. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
“The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.”
“Do not take life too seriously; you will never get out of it alive.”
“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”
“Art is not a thing; it is a way.”
“Responsibility is the price of freedom.”
“The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
“Do not wait for a leader; become one.”
“The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher.”
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
FAQ
Who wrote message to Garcia?
Elbert Hubbard
What did Elbert Hubbard say?
Elbert Hubbard was a writer and philosopher who left behind many memorable quotes. Here are some of his most famous sayings:
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
“Don’t take life too seriously; you’ll never get out of it alive.”
“The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.”
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
“The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
“Responsibility is the price of freedom.
Why was Elbert Hubbard on the Lusitania?
Elbert Hubbard was traveling on the Lusitania with his wife, Alice Hubbard, to embark on a business trip and lecture tour in Europe. Hubbard was a successful businessman and entrepreneur, and he had planned the trip to explore business opportunities and promote his work. However, tragedy struck when the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine on May 7, 1915, while sailing from New York to Liverpool. The ship sank, and over 1,100 passengers and crew members lost their lives, including Elbert and Alice Hubbard. Their deaths were a great loss to the literary and publishing world, as they were both accomplished writers and thinkers who had made significant contributions to the field.
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