Who is L. Ron. Hubbard from Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion and what is their importance?

Lafayette Ron Hubbard was born in 1911 in Tilden Nebraska, the only son of a naval officer. From the beginning, Hubbard was prone to excitement and exaggeration and loved to have adventures and tell stories of his amazing deeds, which were often highly embellished. After attending school, he attempted to join the military, but was nearsighted and attended college instead. He led several unsuccessful expeditions to find treasure in the Caribbean, but he did get a pilot's license and spent much time studying aviation. Following college, Hubbard began writing western and adventure novels, but by 1939, Hubbard, now married with children, began writing science fiction, which made him well known. During this time, he convinced the military to let him in, but although he claimed to be a war hero, records show he was only positioned at a desk job. Following the war, Hubbard dabbled in the occult with Jack Parsons, leader of the rocket program at CalTech. However, after a falling out, Hubbard and his new girlfriend, Sara, were left without much money. Hubbard had never divorced his first wife, but eventually did so, and never took care of his four children again.