L. Ron Hubbard
From End The Cult
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| Born: | March 13th, 1911 |
| Joined: | (Founded) |
| Level: | Founder, Commodore |
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard ("LRH") Was the founder of Scientology. He was born on March 13 1911 and died on January 26 1986. Both cult members and critics can agree that he lived an interesting life; they just differ on how interesting.
Friends vary widely in estimates of what makes Ronald run. To some he is an earnest, honest, sincere guy. To others he is the greatest con man of the century. Still others regard him as basically sincere, with just a touch of the charlatan, and now a tragic victim of his own psychoses.
Martin Gardner, 1952
Contents |
Scientologists on Hubbard
Main Article: Scientology view of L. Ron Hubbard
The Scientology view of Hubbard paints a man so great you'd be damn foolish for not listening to him. It's changed over the years so often: doctor, nuclear physicist, artist, war hero, philosopher.
He's a man who's managed to leave his body and fly through the universe.[1] He's so amazing that when he died he just moved to a different planet to do even more research just for us. A mansion was built at Gold Base for his return in a different body one day.
What a truly amazing spirit this "Ron" was. If only it were true.
Early years
Main Article: Early years of L. Ron Hubbard
Born in Tilden, Nebraska on March 13th 1911 to Harry Ross Hubbard and Leodora May Waterbury.[2]
During his father's 1920s Naval posting in Guam, Hubbard visits the Far East. He later claims his voyage was the result of "the financial support of his wealthy grandfather". In his journal, he writes "as a Chinaman can not live up to a thing, he always drags it down" and "they smell of all the baths they didnt [sic] take. The trouble with China is, there are too many chinks here."[3] During this trip, Hubbard is befriended by Commander Joseph "Snake" Thompson.
Lack of Education
Main Article: Education of L. Ron Hubbard
In 1930, Hubbard graduates from Woodward School for Boys and enrolls at George Washington University, majoring in civil engineering. In May of that year, he joins the 20th Marine Corps Reserve.
In the early 1950s, Hubbard purchased Sequoia University and awarded himself a doctorate.
His Military Disasters
Main Article: Military career of L. Ron Hubbard
On October 22nd 1931, he recieved an honourable discharge from the Marine Reserves. Two unexplained notations on his record read "Excellent" and "Not to be re-enlisted".
In 1941 Hubbard joins the Navy. in 1942, after subverting the Naval Attaché, Hubbard is returned to the United States from Australia: "This officer is not satisfactory for independent duty assignment.... and will require close supervision for satisfactory performance of any intelligence duty."
Babalon Working
Main Article: L. Ron Hubbard and the OTO
Hubbard spent a lot of time away from his wife and spent it with Jack Parsons and the OTO. One of his projects was Babalon Working, which wasn't working at all. OTO leader Aleister Crowley called their behaviour "idiocy". Hubbard wrote The Admissions of L. Ron Hubbard, defrauded Jack Parsons out of thousands, and stole his girlfriend to boot.
Dianetics
Main Article: Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
In May of 1950, Dianetics is debuted in an article in Astounding Science Fiction Vol. 45 No. 3. On May 9th of that month, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is published.
First and second wives, including that bit of bigamy
Margaret "Polly" Grubb: 1933 - 1947
Main Article: Margaret "Polly" Grubb
Margaret "Polly" Grubb was the first wife of L. Ron Hubbard. They met early 1933 at a flight school and married on April 13th of that year. After a miscarriage, her second pregnancy with Hubbard bore a two-months premature L. Ron Hubbard Jr. in 1934, followed by Katherine May Hubbard in 1936.
In 1936, Grubb was suspicious of Hubbard's long absences and suspected he was having an affair. She found letters written by several women to Hubbard and confronted him about them. They remained together.citation needed
In 1941 Hubbard joined the Navy and Grubb saw very little of him. After the war ended his absences continued, and Grubb said she did not see Hubbard at all from 1945 and July 1947. During this time, Hubbard was living with Sara Northrup before marrying her in 1946.
On April 14 1947, Grubb files for divorce on grounds of "desertion and non-support". In July, Hubbard agrees to the divorce and to pay $25 per child a month in support. The divorce is finalized on December 24th. During the course of the divorce, both Grubb and Northrup found out about each other's existence and Hubbard's bigamy.
Sara Northrup: 1946 - 1951
Main Article: Sara Northrup
In August 1946, Hubbard married Jack Parson's girlfriend Sara Northrup, committing bigamy. After his divorce to Grubb was finalized on December 24 1947, Northrup and Hubbard remained an item.
In April 1951, Northrup filed for divorce. Grubb wrote her a letter of support:
| If I can help in any way, I'd like to - you must get Alexis in your custody - Ron is not normal. I had hoped that you could straighten him out. Your charges probably sound fantastic to the average person - but I've been through it - the beatings, threats on my life, all the sadistic traits you charge - twelve years of it. | |
| Margaret "Polly" Grubb | |
Ron the Deadbeat Dad
- March 1951, Polly Grubb sued Hubbard for not paying required child support for 42 months.
Post-Dianetics
- Working the Rube Circuit (1950-1961)
- The American Scientist in England (1961-1967)
- Adventures in Rhodesia (1966)
- Life on the Sea (1967-1970s)
- Ron the Government Infiltrator (1970s)
- Ron the Recluse (1980s)
- Death of L. Ron Hubbard (1986)
- A Post-Hubbard Scientology (1986-?)
References
- ^ "Between Lives Implants" lecture, SHSBC #317. 23 July 1963.
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard
- ^ Bare-faced Messiah
