Elbert Hubbard

Date of Birth: June 19, 1856

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 7, 1915

Biography

Elbert Green Hubbard was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. He was born on June 19, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois. Hubbard is best known for founding the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, which was an influential part of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. He initially worked as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company, where his success afforded him the opportunity to pursue his literary and artistic interests. In 1895, Hubbard published a little booklet called “A Message to Garcia,” which gained immense popularity. The essay extolled the virtues of initiative and determined effort, and it became one of the most widely distributed publications in history. Hubbard went on to write numerous essays and books, including “Love, Life & Work,” “As A Man Thinketh,” and “The Philistine.” Hubbard and his second wife, Alice Moore Hubbard, perished in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, during World War I.

5 Interesting Facts about Elbert Hubbard

1. Elbert Hubbard founded the Roycroft Press, which became a centerpiece of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America.

2. His essay “A Message to Garcia” sold over 40 million copies and was translated into multiple languages.

3. Hubbard was a close friend of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

4. He was a proponent of the “Golden Rule,” which emphasizes treating others as one would like to be treated.

5. Hubbard and his wife were on the RMS Lusitania when it was torpedoed by a German submarine, leading to their untimely deaths.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elbert Hubbard

1. “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”

2. “The love we give away is the only love we keep.”

3. “Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.”

4. “Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.”

5. “The greatest mistake you can make in life is continually fearing that you’ll make one.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hubbard’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his Roycroft enterprises were highly successful, making him a wealthy man during his time.

Children

Elbert Hubbard had four children with his first wife, Bertha Crawford Hubbard: Sanford Hubbard, Elbert Hubbard II, Miriam Hubbard, and Katherine Hubbard. Elbert Hubbard II continued his father’s work and became a notable figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement.