South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Friday 28 July 1876, page 7


THE LATE PROFESSOR WM. HUGHES, F.R.G.S.

The last European mail brings us news of tke death of Professor Wm, Hughes, the eminent geographer. Mr. Hughes, who was a brother in-law of the Hon. William Everard, of Ashford,

was born in 1817, and first appeared as an author in 1840, when his 'Directions for taking Instructions on Wills ' was issued. In the course of the next ten years he wrote several books on Law, the last of which was a pamphlet on the ' Stamp Duties Act,' published in 1850. He had also tried his hand at lighter literature, and owing to the success of the ' Three Students of Gray's Inn,' which appeared in 1846, he wrote a three-volume novel entitled ' It's all for the Best,' which appeared in 1853. He will be remembered by old colonists as the author of a work entitled ' The Origin and Condition of the Australian Colonies,' which was published . by Longman & Co. in 1852. From this time he devoted his attention entirely to geography, and was cne of the first writers who succeeded in relieving the science from the reproach of being a mere dry collection of facts. He is also well known as the editor of a number of atlases. He was connected for a number of years in the capacity of Professor of Geography with King's College, Queen's College, and the Royal Female Naval School and other institu-tions; and filled for many years the position of Examiner in Geography to tho College of Preceptors. He has written many works on Geography, mostly intended to present that study in a popular and attractive form, all of which enjoy an extensive circulation. Of late years his peculiar study was Physical Geography in all its relations, and bis lectures thereon were extremely popular. Amongst his numerous works we may mention ' On the Construction of Maps,' a ' Manual of Geography,' a ' Geo graphy of History,' and his ' Physical Geo-graphy' as being the best known. Professor Hughes is described by the Educational Times as an indefatigable worker in the field of education, and as one gifted with an open and genial character, which, while it made him popular in the lecture-room, endeared him to a very large circle of private friends.