Hunt, H. L. (1889-1974), an American oil producer, became one of the richest people in the world. He was noted both for his great wealth and for his extremely conservative political views.
Haroldson Lafayette Hunt was born on Feb. 17, 1889, on a farm in Carson Township, Illinois. His mother, a former teacher, schooled him at home. He spent several years growing cotton and buying and selling land in Arkansas. In the 1930’s, he became rich from drilling oil in eastern Texas. His main companies were Hunt Production Company and Placid Oil Company. After World War II (1939-1945), his “Facts Forum” and “Life Line” radio programs broadcast his conservative, anti-Communist views to millions of people. Among his other opinions, he believed that the wealthy should have greater voting power than the poor. Hunt died on Nov. 29, 1974.
