About Dr. Bob Hieronimus

Robert R. Hieronimus, Ph.D. is acknowledged as a pioneer in the “New Paradigm” movement. He has been featured on documentaries on the National Geographic, Discovery and History Channels. He is a trained symbologist, painter, radio host, and author of six books with frequent co-author Laura E. Cortner. Dr. Bob often describes himself as an educator first, using ancient symbols and esoteric wisdom to promote the elevation of consciousness.

Throughout the 60s, Dr. Bob traveled with numerous rock and roll bands to share information about esoterica and design posters and album covers. It was around this time that he began a long career as a muralist and painter. His highly acclaimed occult and symbolic artcars and murals include the 2,700 square foot prophetic “Apocalypse” at the Johns Hopkins University. Originally completed in 1968, the mural sparked controversy amongst some university members, but also led to Hieronimus being named by Forecast Magazine as “one of this country’s best muralists.”

In 1969, Bob was unexpectedly put in the limelight with the Associated Press and Rolling Stone photographs of the Volkswagen bus “Light” (better known as “the Woodstock bus”) at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair. This photograph continues to be reprinted in media all over the world as a representation of the 60s generation.

In this same year, Dr. Bob founded AUM, the first state-approved school of esoteric studies in the country, which granted certificates in the occult sciences, mystic arts and religious metaphysics. PBS documented his leadership and contributions in 1971 with the feature, “The Artist of Savitria” produced by Maryland Public Television and seen nationwide (see below under “Media Appearances”).

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Hieronimus has a talent for winning the cooperation of the establishment while he lives and works in the counter-culture.

art historian and critic Alan Barnet

Bob received his Ph.D from Saybrook Graduate School in 1981. The 2006 publication Founding Fathers, Secret Societies: Freemasons, Illuminati, Rosicrucians and the Decoding of the Great Seal is a revised and expanded edition of his doctoral research on the Great Seal. This work on American symbolism and the Founding Fathers is a defining feature in his artwork and media career, as well as his later publications The United Symbolism of America and The Secret Life of Lady Liberty.

In January 1988 Bob launched 21st Century Radio®, first on WFBR in Baltimore, then on over 100 stations nationwide on the American Radio Network and currently on WCBM 680 in Baltimore Sunday nights 8-10 PM Eastern. Most of the leading-edge authorities he interviews agree that 21st Century Radio® is the best and most accessible forum to present their unusual findings and opinions due to Dr. Bob’s blend of easygoing humor and well-read background. Passionate about mythology and how it can provide a special meaning in life, Dr. Bob seasons his programming with visits from cultural heroes and icons who help add levity and inspiration to the sometimes discouraging news of the future.

In 1990 Dr. Bob and Zoh incorporated Hieronimus & Co., Inc. to serve as a media research service, providing story and guest ideas and materials to television, newspapers and radio worldwide. Their work has been featured on ABC World News Tonight, ABC Radio, ABCNews.com, CNN, C-SPAN, PBS, The Larry King Show, Strange Universe, and in dozens of leading publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Denver Post, The New York Post, and The Baltimore Sun.

In 2006, Dr. Bob painted his first Artcar in 20 years, transforming his Mercedes 300 SD into the Biodiesel-fueled “Founding Fathers Artcar” – the only Biodiesel Artcar in the state of Maryland and a popular feature in regional parades. In 2008, this car was transformed and repainted to be called the “We the People.”

In 2019, he once again picked up his brush along with a team of young artists to recreate the iconic “Light” Woodstock Bus. The search for the lost original and restoration journey is detailed in the documentary The Woodstock Bus, available on Curiosity Stream. This led to additional collaborations with Volkswagen, culminating in the most recent “Love the Earth” artcar, made specially for VW’s first electric microbus, the ID. Buzz.