Hunt, H(aroldson) L(afayette)

(born Feb. 17, 1889, Ramsey, Ill., U.S.—died Nov. 29, 1974, Dallas, Texas) U.S. oilman. Hunt purchased a tract of land in eastern Texas in 1930 that became one of the richest oilfields in the U.S. He continued his shrewd investments through his Hunt Oil Co. (founded 1936), which grew into the largest independent oil and gas producer in the country. In the 1960s his company exploited vast oil deposits in Libya. He also invested in publishing, cosmetics, pecan farming, and health food. He promoted his ultraconservative views on his own radio programs and newspaper column in the 1950s. Two of his sons, N. Bunker and W. Herbert, tried unsuccessfully to corner the world silver market in 1980, causing its near collapse.

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