Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) was an American writer, publisher, and philosopher who is best known for his book "A Message to Garcia" (1899). Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Hubbard worked as a traveling salesman and then as a freelance writer before founding the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York.

Hubbard's ideas were influential in his time, and he was seen as a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the value of handmade goods and traditional craftsmanship. However, Hubbard was also controversial for his views on race and other social issues, and some of his writings have been criticized for their lack of diversity and inclusivity.

Hubbard grew up on a farm in Hudson, Illinois. He attended a local high school before working as a traveling salesman and later as a freelance writer in Chicago. In 1895, Hubbard founded the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, where he published books, magazines, and other printed materials. Hubbard's goal was to promote the value of handmade goods and traditional craftsmanship in a rapidly industrializing world.

Hubbard died tragically in the sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine in 1915, along with his wife and more than 1,000 others. Despite his controversial legacy, Hubbard's ideas on self-reliance and individual initiative continue to be influential in the fields of business and personal development.

Forbes of Harvard (1894)