The founder of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard was a writer of science fiction and fantasy books. He attended George Washington University for two years in the 1930s, dropping out before earning a degree. It was at this time that he began publishing in pulp magazines, such as Thrilling Adventure, often under pen names.
In the mid-1930s, he worked on scripts for Hollywood movies, including The Secret of Treasure Island (1938). He later joined the Marines and was a Navy officer in WWII. After developing Dianetics, “the modern science of mental health,” he founded the Church of Scientology in 1952. Hubbard lived at this house, now preserved as the L. Ron Hubbard House, from 1955 to 1959. The house was raided by the FDA in 1963, which resulted in a lawsuit in 1971, settled out of court.
Hubbard is the Guinness World Record holder for the most published author, with 1,084 works; he also holds records for most translated book, and most audiobooks. His books include: Under the Black Ensign (1935), Slaves of Sleep (1939), The Indigestible Triton (1940), Death’s Deputy (1948), The Kingslayer (1949), Typewriter in the Sky (1951), Return to Tomorrow (1954), The Ultimate Adventure (1970), and The Mission Earth Series (ten books, written 1985–1987).
The Homes
1812 19th St NW, Washington, DC
This Mediterranean Revival style house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
L. Ron Hubbard
1812 19th St NW, Washington DC
Located in Dupont Circle neighborhood, Northwest - East of Rock Creek