L. Ron Hubbard, American religious leader and author, founded the Church of Scientology (d. 1986)

A Life Defined: L. Ron Hubbard, Author and Founder of Scientology

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, born on March 13, 1911, in Tilden, Nebraska, and passing on January 24, 1986, was an American figure whose life journey spanned the realms of a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy, a music producer, a composer, and most notably, the controversial founder of the Church of Scientology. His early life and varied career paths laid the groundwork for a profound impact on spiritual movements and popular culture, albeit one frequently mired in debate.

Early Life and Literary Beginnings

Hubbard's formative years were far from conventional. After his birth in rural Nebraska, he spent a significant portion of his childhood in Helena, Montana, a landscape that perhaps fueled his imaginative spirit. His father's posting to the U.S. naval base on Guam in the late 1920s offered Hubbard a unique opportunity for extensive travel across Asia and the South Pacific, experiences he often claimed profoundly shaped his worldview. In 1930, he briefly pursued an education in civil engineering at George Washington University but dropped out in his second year, a decision that soon propelled him into the world of professional writing. He quickly established himself as a remarkably prolific author of pulp fiction, crafting countless stories across various genres for the popular magazines of the era. It was during this period that he married Margaret "Polly" Grubb, a woman who shared his passion for aviation.

Wartime Service and Shifting Focus

With the advent of World War II, Hubbard served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. His naval career, however, was marked by some turbulence; he briefly commanded two ships but was removed from his post on both occasions. The final months of his active service were spent in a hospital, where he received treatment for a range of health complaints. This period of his life is often cited by his followers as a time of profound personal reflection and discovery, though historical accounts frequently present a more nuanced picture of his service and health challenges.

The Birth of Dianetics and Scientology

The year 1950 marked a pivotal moment in Hubbard's life and the burgeoning spiritual landscape: he authored "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health." This self-help book presented a therapeutic technique designed to alleviate psychological trauma and improve intelligence. The book quickly became a bestseller, leading Hubbard to establish a series of organizations dedicated to promoting Dianetics. However, just two years later, in 1952, Hubbard lost the rights to Dianetics during complex bankruptcy proceedings. Undeterred, he promptly pivoted, founding Scientology, which he positioned as an applied religious philosophy. From that point, L. Ron Hubbard dedicated himself to overseeing the remarkable growth of the Church of Scientology, transforming it from a nascent movement into a truly global organization with adherents around the world.

Controversy and the Sea Organization

As Scientology gained traction through the 1960s, it also became an increasingly controversial subject. The organization, and L. Ron Hubbard himself, came under intense scrutiny, facing significant media attention, governmental pressure, and legal challenges in numerous countries. In response to this mounting external pressure, and perhaps to escape it, Hubbard spent much of the late 1960s and early 1970s living at sea. From his personal fleet of ships, he adopted the title of "Commodore" and led the Sea Organization, an elite, quasi-paramilitary group composed of the most dedicated Scientologists, who pledged a billion years of service to the Church.

Legal Challenges and Later Seclusion

Hubbard returned to the United States in 1975, retreating into seclusion in the California desert after an unsuccessful attempt by the Church of Scientology to take over the town of Clearwater, Florida. His legal troubles, however, continued to mount. In 1978, a French court convicted him of fraud in absentia. That same year, a massive scandal erupted with the indictment of eleven high-ranking members of Scientology on 28 charges related to their involvement in the Church's "Snow White Program." This systematic program involved widespread espionage against the United States government. Notably, Hubbard's wife, Mary Sue Hubbard, was among those indicted and was found to be in charge of the program, while L. Ron Hubbard himself was named an unindicted co-conspirator, further cementing the Church's controversial image.

Final Years and Enduring Legacy

L. Ron Hubbard spent the remaining years of his life in deep seclusion, residing in a luxury motorhome on a ranch in California, attended only by a small, trusted group of Scientology officials. He passed away at the age of 74 in January 1986. Following his death, Scientology leaders announced a unique explanation for his passing, stating that his physical body had become an impediment to his work and that he had decided to "drop his body" to continue his research on another plane of existence. While many of Hubbard's autobiographical statements have been historically challenged and found to contain fictitious elements, the Church of Scientology continues to describe its founder in hagiographic terms, steadfastly rejecting any suggestion that its official account of L. Ron Hubbard's life is not entirely historical fact. His legacy remains a complex and often debated topic, intricately tied to the enduring influence and controversies surrounding the Church of Scientology.

Frequently Asked Questions About L. Ron Hubbard

Who was L. Ron Hubbard?
L. Ron Hubbard was an American author, primarily known for his science fiction and fantasy works, who later became the founder of Dianetics and, subsequently, the Church of Scientology.
What is "Dianetics"?
Dianetics refers to the "modern science of mental health" outlined in L. Ron Hubbard's 1950 book. It posits a method of auditing to overcome past traumas and improve mental well-being, serving as a precursor to Scientology.
When did he found Scientology?
L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology in 1952, following the loss of rights to Dianetics in bankruptcy proceedings.
What was the Sea Organization?
The Sea Organization, often referred to as the Sea Org, is an elite, quasi-paramilitary religious order within the Church of Scientology, established by L. Ron Hubbard in the late 1960s. Its members commit to a billion years of service to Scientology.
When did L. Ron Hubbard die?
L. Ron Hubbard died on January 24, 1986, at the age of 74, while in seclusion in California.