Hunter, Robert, 1874-1942

Robert Hunter was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the son of William Robert and Caroline Fouts Hunter. Hunter graduated from Indiana University in 1896, and immediately embarked on a career in social work in Chicago. He traveled to London, England to study housing conditions and returned to Chicago briefly. He then went to New York where he became active in the fight against tuberculosis and child labor. He met and married heiress Caroline M. Phleps Stokes in 1903. He and his wife joined the Socialist Party in 1905. He ran unsuccessfully as its candidate, first for the New York State Assembly and later for governor of Connecticut. He resigned from the Socialist Party in 1914 and became a writer and lecturer on economics and English at the University of California. Through the 1920s Hunter became increasingly conservative and by 1932 was convinced that the country needed lower taxes, a balanced budget and less government interference with economic life. He corresponded with numerous political candidates and leaders during the 1930s, freely offering his opinions and advice. Hunter was the author of several books all reflective of the many stages of his career. He died in 1942.

From the description of Papers, 1904-1948 (bulk 1934-1942). (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 53906734