American writer Elbert Green Hubbard died on the RMS
Lusitania on May 7, 1915 by Kevin E. Dayhoff
Elbert Green Hubbard, June 19, 1856 - May 7, 1915
“God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.”
― Elbert Hubbard
May 7, 2015 Kevin E. Dayhoff - It was 100 years ago that our
nation’s literary, cultural and artistic community mourned the death of Elbert
Green Hubbard, June 19, 1856 - May 7, 1915, an American philosopher, artist,
and writer.
He died on the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, when the ship
was sunk by the Germans off the coast of Ireland.
He is well-known for publishing two satirical and witty
magazines, “The Philistine,” and “The Fra.”
In addition to remembering him for his quotes, I remember
him best as the author of “A Message to Garcia.” One of my favorite quotes is
by Mr. Hubbard: “God will not look you over for medals degrees or diplomas, but
for scars.”
Not to be overlooked was the not too insignificant matter
that he was federally prosecuted and subsequently convicted on January 11,
1913, for circulating "objectionable" matter in violation of the
postal laws - - every writer’s nightmare who fears the consequences of writing
material that government officials deem not in line with the official viewpoint
of the government at the time. Fortunately he received a pardon by President
Woodrow Wilson.
Mr. Hubbard is also known for his actions onboard the
Lusitania on May 7, 1915, after the ship was struck by a torpedo.
According to a letter written to his son, Elbert Hubbard II
dated March 12, 1916, by Ernest C. Cowper, a survivor of the sinking of the
Lusitania, found in the papers of Mr. Hubbard collected by the "
Elbert
Hubbard Papers Manuscript Group #17" at the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania; page 3 and 4:
“I cannot say
specifically where your father and Mrs. Hubbard were when the torpedoes hit,
but I can tell you just what happened after that. They emerged from their room,
which was on the port side of the vessel, and came on to the boat-deck. Neither
appeared perturbed in the least. Your father and Mrs. Hubbard linked arms—the
fashion in which they always walked the deck—and stood apparently wondering
what to do. I passed him with a baby which I was taking to a lifeboat when he
said, 'Well, Jack, they have got us. They are a damn sight worse than I ever
thought they were.'
“They did not move
very far away from where they originally stood. As I moved to the other side of
the ship, in preparation for a jump when the right moment came, I called to
him, 'What are you going to do?' and he just shook his head, while Mrs. Hubbard
smiled and said, 'There does not seem to be anything to do.'
“The expression seemed
to produce action on the part of your father, for then he did one of the most
dramatic things I ever saw done. He simply turned with Mrs. Hubbard and entered
a room on the top deck, the door of which was open, and closed it behind him.
It was apparent that his idea was that they should die together, and not risk
being parted on going into the water.”
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