Hurlbut Family Genealogy & History

Shane Hurlbut, ASC, is a renowned American cinematographer known for his work on acclaimed films such as "Drumline," "The Rat Pack," and "Into the Blue." Hurlbut's career highlights include collaborations with directors like Rob Cohen and Barry Levinson, and his groundbreaking cinematography in music videos for artists like Gloria Estefan. He became the youngest cinematographer nominated for an American Society of Cinematographers award for a debut film. His specialty in lighting and photography has earned him praise from critics, enhancing his reputation in the film industry.

Shane Hurlbut was born on a farm near Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, New York, where he was raised by his mother, a sixth-grade teacher, and his father, a professor's assistant at Cornell University. He married Lydia Kunkler, a fellow Southern Cayuga High School graduate.

Stephen Augustus Hurlbut (1815–1882) was a prominent attorney, politician, and military leader during the American Civil War. He commanded the U.S. Army of the Gulf and played significant roles in key battles such as the Battle of Shiloh and the Meridian Expedition under General Sherman. Post-war, he was a founding member of the Grand Army of the Republic and served as a U.S. Congressman from Illinois. Hurlbut also held diplomatic positions as Minister to Colombia and Ambassador to Peru. His career was marked by both political and military achievements, contributing significantly to U.S. history during the 19th century.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Hurlbut was the son of Martin Luther Hurlbut and Lydia Bunce, who hailed from the North. His father, a Unitarian minister, formerly presided over Beaufort College. Despite his Southern upbringing, Hurlbut's Northern heritage influenced his later support for the Union during the Civil War. He moved to Illinois in 1845, where he married Sophronia R. Stevens and had two children.

Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, born on February 3, 1809, in Chittenden County, Vermont, was a prominent 19th-century Latter Day Saint dissenter best known for his role in challenging the character of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Initially a Methodist preacher, Hurlbut joined the Church of Christ in 1832 or 1833 but was excommunicated in June 1833 for sexual immorality. He later gathered affidavits in Palmyra, New York, that contributed to Eber D. Howe’s 1834 anti-Mormon publication, "Mormonism Unvailed." Hurlbut's actions and lectures against Mormonism played a significant role in shaping early opposition to the Church of Christ.

William B. Hurlbut is a prominent figure in the fields of neurobiology and bioethics, serving as an adjunct professor at Stanford University Medical Center. Born in 1945 in St. Helena, California, he has made significant contributions as a member of the President's Council on Bioethics and as a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. Hurlbut is recognized for his work on the ethical implications of biomedical technology advancements and his advocacy for Altered Nuclear Transfer, a method for obtaining pluripotent stem cells. He has also collaborated with NASA on astrobiology projects and participated in various media engagements, including documentaries like "Transcendent Man" and "The Human Experience."