Elbert Hubbard

Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) was an American writer, publisher, and philosopher who founded the influential Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York. His artistic and literary contributions made him a significant figure in the American Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hubbard's most widely recognized work is "A Message to Garcia," a short inspirational essay that gained immense popularity and was translated into multiple languages. His other major literary achievement was the fourteen-volume series "Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great," which profiled notable historical figures through biographical sketches. After achieving success as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company, Hubbard established the Roycroft Campus, which became a center for craftsmanship, printing, and furniture making. The Roycroft community attracted numerous artists and craftspeople, producing high-quality books, furniture, and metalwork that exemplified the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. Hubbard's life came to a tragic end when he and his wife Alice Moore Hubbard perished aboard the RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1915. His legacy lives on through the Roycroft movement's influence on American design and craftsmanship, as well as his prolific writings on philosophy, art, and society.

Readers often connect with Hubbard's inspirational and self-reliance messages, though some find his writing style preachy or dated. His short work "A Message to Garcia" remains his most discussed piece. Readers appreciated: - Simple, clear writing that delivers practical wisdom - Focus on personal responsibility and initiative - Quotable passages about work ethic and character - Historical perspective on American business culture Common criticisms: - Repetitive themes across works - Moralizing tone - Some outdated social views - Limited depth in longer works On Goodreads: - "A Message to Garcia" averages 4.0/5 from 2,800+ ratings - "Selected Writings" averages 3.9/5 from 450+ ratings - Multiple readers note his works feel "like reading fortune cookies" Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 across his collected works, with readers frequently mentioning the timeless quality of his core messages about self-improvement while acknowledging the dated language and context.

A Message to Garcia (1899) A short motivational essay about a soldier's unquestioning determination to complete his mission, based on a true story from the Spanish-American War.

Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great (1894-1909) A fourteen-volume series containing biographical sketches of notable historical figures in literature, art, music, and business.

No Enemy But Himself (1913) A novel exploring themes of self-sabotage and personal responsibility through the story of a talented but troubled protagonist.

The Notebook (1895) A collection of philosophical musings and observations on life, society, and human nature.

White Hyacinths (1907) A meditation on the nature of beauty, art, and craftsmanship in everyday life.

The Philosophy of Elbert Hubbard (1912) A compilation of Hubbard's key philosophical ideas and teachings about life, work, and society.

Love, Life and Work (1906) A series of essays examining the interconnections between personal fulfillment, professional success, and meaningful relationships.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote essays on self-reliance and individualism that parallel Hubbard's philosophical outlook. His transcendentalist writings explore the relationship between the individual and society, similar to Hubbard's focus on personal responsibility and independent thinking.

William Morris founded the Arts and Crafts movement in England and wrote extensively about craftsmanship and social reform. His work establishing the Kelmscott Press and promoting handcraft production directly influenced Hubbard's Roycroft enterprise.

John Ruskin wrote influential works on art, architecture, and social reform that shaped the Arts and Crafts movement. His emphasis on the dignity of labor and the importance of craftsmanship informed Hubbard's approach to both writing and manufacturing.

Gustav Stickley published The Craftsman magazine and wrote about furniture design and architecture in the American Arts and Crafts tradition. His integration of philosophy with practical craftsmanship mirrors Hubbard's approach at Roycroft.

Henry David Thoreau wrote about self-reliance and simple living in works like Walden. His philosophical writings on individualism and rejection of conventional society align with Hubbard's messages about personal independence and non-conformity.