Born in 1883 in Switzerland, Hurter was given a very solid art education. He studied architecture for three years in Zurich and art for seven years in Berlin. It was probably a very classical and traditional course of study, well-grounded in basic drawing skills. He came to America in 1913 or 1914 and by 1915 was firmly ensconced in the fledgling animation industry doing Mutt & Jeff cartoons for Barre-Bowers in New York. Utilizing his keen eye for movement and his extensive art training, Hurter quickly became a phenomenon who could replicate action based on analysis of nature.
From 1918 to the late 20's, Hurter drops from sight. Around 1930, he was living a quiet, eccentric life in Southern California drawing direct mail ads for a printer. When he applied for an animation job at the Disney Studios, he was 48 years old (Walt was 29) with antiquated animation skills and an undistinguished career behind him. What lay before him was the job he was born to do.
His job was to draw and sketch, to play with images and ideas. His sketches were the foundations for most of the Disney films of the Thirties. He designed characters and settings for Silly Symphonies, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Reluctant Dragon, and even films that were to be made long after his death. His designs can be found in Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp.
He died of a weak heart caused by rheumatic heart disease in 1942. In his will, he arranged for the publication of a book on his work - He Drew As He Pleased features over 700 of Hurter's amazing doodles and drawings.
(source: http://www.bpib.com/hurter.htm)