Picture a charismatic American philosopher who spun tales of grit and craftsmanship—meet Elbert Hubbard! From a soap salesman to the founder of the Roycroft artisan community, Hubbard’s journey was anything but ordinary. His essay A Message to Garcia became a global sensation, preaching perseverance with a wink and a nod. Let’s dive into the life of this Arts and Crafts trailblazer.
The Making of Elbert Hubbard
Born on June 19, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois, Elbert Green Hubbard grew up in Hudson, where his knack for sales shone early. As a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company, he pioneered marketing tricks like premiums and 'leave on trial' deals. But the corporate grind wasn’t his destiny. Inspired by William Morris’s Kelmscott Press in England, Hubbard ditched soap for ink, founding the Roycroft Press in East Aurora, New York, in 1893.
Elbert Hubbard’s Unforgettable Works
Hubbard’s writing was a lively mix of wit, wisdom, and rugged individualism. His 1899 essay A Message to Garcia, published in The Philistine, became a cultural juggernaut, with millions of copies printed. It celebrated a soldier’s no-questions-asked duty during the Spanish-American War, striking a chord with business tycoons and military leaders alike. His 14-volume Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great offered quirky biographies of luminaries like Edison and Whitman, blending fact with satire. Hubbard also penned The Fra, a monthly magazine, and Jesus Was an Anarchist, a bold critique of war and government. His style? Epigrammatic, punchy, and always thought-provoking.
Through Roycroft Press, Hubbard produced handcrafted books on lush paper, often leather-bound and hand-illuminated. His press wasn’t just a publisher—it was a lifestyle, spawning furniture, pottery, and stained-glass workshops. The Roycroft community became a beacon of the Arts and Crafts movement, championing handmade beauty over industrial monotony.
Why Elbert Hubbard Matters
Hubbard’s impact rippled far beyond East Aurora. His Roycroft community inspired artisans and thinkers, cementing the Arts and Crafts ethos in America. A Message to Garcia remains a staple in business and military circles, its call for initiative still resonating. Hubbard’s blend of socialism, anarchy, and free enterprise made him a quirky sage, admired by figures like Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt. Tragically, he and his wife Alice perished aboard the RMS Lusitania in 1915, choosing to face their fate together. Yet, the Roycroft legacy endures, with its campus now a National Historic Landmark.
- Born: June 19, 1856, Bloomington, Illinois
- Key Works: A Message to Garcia, Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, The Philistine
- Died: May 7, 1915, aboard the RMS Lusitania
- Legacy: Founder of the Roycroft artisan community
Snag a copy of A Message to Garcia and dive into Hubbard’s world of wit and wisdom!