Ridgely Hunt

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 in New Haven, Connecticut. He was a grandson of William H. Hunt, the Secretary of the Navy during the Garfield Presidential Administration. Hunt was also a nephew of William Henry Hunt, who served as territorial Governor of Puerto Rico and as a federal judge on the Ninth Circuit.

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 Morristown, New Jersey, in 1905, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as a member of the Class of 1909. Hunt later transferred to Yale University to complete his undergraduate education. Hunt participated in the Elizabethan Club, a social club, and the Sachem Club. 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. In 1933, Hunt received a promotion to the position of supervisor of the college libraries at Yale. They had four children together.