W. Ben Hunt
Encyclopedia
Walter Bernard “Ben” Hunt (March 13, 1888 – March 30, 1970) “was an American artist, outdoor educator and author” whose books and articles covered topics such as “Native American arts and performance, woodworking
, whittling
, scoutcraft
, pioneering, jewelry making
, metalworking
, and calligraphy
.”
Hunt was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin
and grew up in a log cabin
. He attended Milwaukee’s South Division High School
, but did not graduate, dropping out to become “a lithographic engraver
(now graphics designer
) at the Bruce Publishing Company.” Hunt moved to Hales Corners, Wisconsin
with his wife, Laura, in 1920. In 1924, Hunt, along with his father-in-law and brother, Edwin C. Hunt, built a log cabin behind his home. The cabin, “a 16x28-foot structure” made of tamarack logs, was the subject of Hunt’s first article, “How We Built Our Log Cabin.” During the late 1930s, Hunt began to study the work of Native American artists. As part of his research, Hunt met with artists and leaders such as Nick Black Elk
, Frank Smart (or Chief Gogeoweosh), and James F. "Buck" Burshears
. Hunt shared his knowledge of "Indian lore" with Milwaukee's boy scout
leaders and, in 1942, Hunt started writing articles for Boy's Life
. He became a regular member of its staff, ultimately writing "over 1,000 articles, an average of three to four per issue." Hunt's work for Boy's Life, led him to serve on the staff of the National Boy Scout Jamboree
in 1950, 1953, 1957, and 1960.
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
, whittling
Whittling
Whittling is the art of carving shapes typically out of raw wood or bone with a knife.Whittling is typically performed with a light, small-bladed knife, usually a pocket knife. Specialised whittling knives are available as well...
, scoutcraft
Scoutcraft
Scoutcraft is a term used to cover a variety of woodcraft knowledge and skills required by people seeking to venture into wild country and sustain themselves independently. The term has been adopted by Scouting organizations to reflect skills and knowledge which are felt to be a core part of the...
, pioneering, jewelry making
Jewelry design
Jewelry design is the art or profession of creating, crafting, fabricating, or rendering designs for jewelry. This is an ancient practice of the goldsmith or metalworker that evolved to a billion-dollar industry with the odyssey from ancient cultures into the machine age...
, metalworking
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
, and calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
.”
Hunt was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin
Greenfield, Wisconsin
Greenfield is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 35,476 at the 2000 census.-History:Greenfield was originally created as the Town of Kinnickinnic around 1839. On Feb. 19, 1841, the name of the town was changed to Greenfield, taking its name from the name of the...
and grew up in a log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
. He attended Milwaukee’s South Division High School
South Division High School
South Division High School is a public high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. South Division is part of the Milwaukee Public Schools.- History :...
, but did not graduate, dropping out to become “a lithographic engraver
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
(now graphics designer
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
) at the Bruce Publishing Company.” Hunt moved to Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Hales Corners is a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hales Corners is located in southwestern Milwaukee County...
with his wife, Laura, in 1920. In 1924, Hunt, along with his father-in-law and brother, Edwin C. Hunt, built a log cabin behind his home. The cabin, “a 16x28-foot structure” made of tamarack logs, was the subject of Hunt’s first article, “How We Built Our Log Cabin.” During the late 1930s, Hunt began to study the work of Native American artists. As part of his research, Hunt met with artists and leaders such as Nick Black Elk
Black Elk
Heȟáka Sápa was a famous Wičháša Wakȟáŋ of the Oglala Lakota . He was Heyoka and a second cousin of Crazy Horse.-Life:...
, Frank Smart (or Chief Gogeoweosh), and James F. "Buck" Burshears
J. F. Burshears
James Francis "Buck" Burshears was the founder of the Koshare Indian Dancers and the troop's Scoutmaster for over half a century. His poem "The Scoutmaster's Prayer" has been an inspiration to thousands of Scouters throughout the world.The Koshare Indians were formed as a senior project while...
. Hunt shared his knowledge of "Indian lore" with Milwaukee's boy scout
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
leaders and, in 1942, Hunt started writing articles for Boy's Life
Boy's Life
Boy's Life is a 1991 novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert R. McCammon. It received the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1992....
. He became a regular member of its staff, ultimately writing "over 1,000 articles, an average of three to four per issue." Hunt's work for Boy's Life, led him to serve on the staff of the National Boy Scout Jamboree
National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)
The national Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world...
in 1950, 1953, 1957, and 1960.
Books
- Fifty Alphabets (1931), with Edwin C. Hunt
- Sixty Alphabets (1935), with Edwin C. Hunt
- Lettering of Today (1935), with Edwin C. Hunt
- Indian & Camp Handicraft (1938), with Fred Schmidt
- The Flat Bow (1939), with John J. Metz
- Single Stroke Alphabets, Slant & Vertical, Plain & Ornamental (1941), with Edwin C. Hunt
- Indiancraft (1942)
- Ben Hunt's Big Book of Whittling (1944)
- Ben Hunt's Whittling Book (1944)
- More Ben Hunt Whittlings (1947)
- Building a Log Cabin (1947)
- Indian Silversmithing (1952)
- The Complete Book of Indian Crafts and Lore (1954)
- The Golden Book of Indian Crafts and Lore (1954)
- Indian Crafts and Lore (1954)
- 101 Alphabets (1954), with Edwin C. Hunt
- Kachina Dolls (1957)
- The Golden Book of Crafts and Hobbies (1957)
- Whittling with Ben Hunt (1959)
- Let's Whittle (1962)
- Crafts and Hobbies (1964)
- Comment Vivre en Indien (1967), with Robert Doniol
- Contemporary Carving and Whittling (1967)
- Come Vivere da Pellerossa (1967), with Robert Doniol