Ridgely Hunt Jr. (1887–1933) was a publishing executive and professor. After a 10-year career in the book distribution and publishing industries, Hunt served as librarian of the
Yale University Library
The Yale University Library is the library system of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Originating in 1701 with the gift of several dozen books to a new "Collegiate School," the library's collection now contains approximately 14.9 milli ...
in
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut and is part of the New York City metropolitan area. With a population of 134,02 ...
.
He was a grandson of
William H. Hunt
William Henry Hunt (June 12, 1823 – February 27, 1884) was the 29th United States Secretary of the Navy, Minister to the Russian Empire and a judge of the Court of Claims.
Early life
Hunt was born on June 12, 1823, in Charleston, South Carol ...
, the
Secretary of the Navy
The secretary of the Navy (or SECNAV) is a statutory officer () and the head (chief executive officer) of the Department of the Navy, a military department (component organization) within the United States Department of Defense.
By law, the se ...
during the
Garfield Presidential Administration. Hunt was also a nephew of
William Henry Hunt, who served as territorial
Governor of Puerto Rico
The governor of Puerto Rico ( es, gobernador de Puerto Rico) is the head of government of the Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and commander-in-chief of the Puerto Rico National Guard.
The governor has a duty ...
and as a
federal judge Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state/provincial/local level.
United States
A US federal judge is appointed by the US President and confirmed by the US Senate in accordance with Article 3 of ...
on the
Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (in case citations, 9th Cir.) is the U.S. federal court of appeals that has appellate jurisdiction over the U.S. district courts in the following federal judicial districts:
* District o ...
.
Early life, education, and military experience
Hunt was born to Ridgely Hunt Sr. and Virginia DeLancy (Kearney) Hunt in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 1887. After graduating from
Morristown School in
, in 1905, he entered the
U.S. Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a United States Service academies, federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of ...
in
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland and the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Anne Arundel County. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east o ...
, as a member of the Class of 1909. Hunt later transferred to
Yale University
Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...
to complete his undergraduate education. Hunt participated in the
Elizabethan Club, a social club, and the Sachem Club.
He graduated from the
Sheffield Scientific School
Sheffield Scientific School was founded in 1847 as a school of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut, for instruction in science and engineering. Originally named the Yale Scientific School, it was renamed in 1861 in honor of Joseph E. Sheffield, ...
at Yale in 1914 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.
Between 1914 and 1918, Hunt worked at Parsons Trading Company, a paper company, and he then worked as an export manager for Arnold, Cheney, and Company. In 1918, Hunt enlisted with the 7th New York Infantry. After receiving a transfer to the
107th Infantry Regiment in the
27th Division, he served overseas with the
American Expeditionary Forces in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. Upon earning a commission as a second lieutenant in August 1918, he served with the 101st Infantry of the
81st Division.
Career in the book industry
After receiving his discharge from the
U.S. Army in 1919, Hunt joined Brick Row Book Shop to manage its New York office. He later served as a sales manager for
D. Appleton & Company and then Duffield & Company. In 1931, Hunt began serving as librarian of the
Linonia and Brothers Library at Yale University. Hunt also held the rank of assistant professor. While working at Yale, he published the book ''Gardener's Friend and Other Pests'' with noted architect
George Shepard Chappell
George Shepard Chappell, AIA (January 2, 1877 – November 25, 1946) was an American architect, parodist, journalist (with the magazine '' Vanity Fair'') and author. He is known as the author of numerous books, including a travel series parody p ...
. In 1933, Hunt received a promotion to the position of supervisor of the college libraries at Yale.
Family
Hunt married Julia deForest Cheney in 1915. They had four children together.
Hunt's child Nancy (born Ridgely Hunt III) worked as a journalist with ''
The Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
''.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunt, Ridgely
American librarians
Yale University faculty
United States Naval Academy alumni
Yale University alumni
People from Washington, D.C.
1887 births
1933 deaths
Morristown-Beard School alumni