Richard D. Hubbard, born in Berlin, Connecticut, graduated from Yale College and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He spent several years as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and served as the prosecuting attorney for Hartford County. Hubbard transitioned to national politics, serving in the Fortieth Congress as a Democrat. He later became Governor of Connecticut, during which he championed legislation on property rights, public health, infrastructure, and insurance regulations. Post-governorship, Hubbard continued his legal career and contributed to the establishment of the American Bar Association.

Richard D. Hubbard's political philosophy reveals a blend of progressive advocacy and calculated pragmatism. He championed equal property rights for spouses, an unusual stance for his era, while simultaneously pushing for insurance industry regulations that seem contradictory at first glance. Hubbard's legislative efforts to form the State Board of Health and manage infrastructure through a dedicated commission demonstrate a nuanced approach to public welfare. His involvement in establishing the American Bar Association indicates a commitment to professional standards, yet his policy combinations suggest a strategic balancing act between progressive reforms and industry interests.