L. Ron Hubbard

About

Science fiction author and founder of The Church of Scientology who published his successful novel, Battlefield Earth, in 1982. He is also known for his self-help book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, which became the central text of the religion of Scientology.

Before Fame

He dropped out of Georgetown University in 1932 and began publishing numerous science fiction stories in pulp fiction magazines. He also became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the World War II years.

Trivia

He became heavily involved in the occult during the late 1940s and helped to develop a sexual ritual called the "Babalon Working."

Family Life

He was the Nebraska-born son of Harry Ross Hubbard and Ledora May Waterbury Hubbard. He was married three times, to Polly Grubb, Sara Northrup Hollister, and Mary Sue Whipp, and he fathered seven children.

Associated With

He developed a self-help system called Dianetics, which fascinated author Aldous Huxley.