Hughes was born in October 22, 1822 in Uffington. His grandfather was the vicar. His father, John was an essayist and storyteller. He figures later in Hughes book “Tom Brown’s School Days” as the model for the Squire, and his mother was the model for the Squire’s wife.
Hughes had a model childhood. He played around the area with children from the village and learned all about the history of the village. These happy days ended at the age of eight.
He was sent away to a private school near Winchester. At eleven, he followed his brother George to Rugby School. His father had admired the Headmaster. Rugby School inspired Hughes to eventually write “Tom Brown’s School Days” later in his life.
Hughes’ education continued at Oriel College, Oxford. He studied law, but was also a very good boxer and cricketeer. He fell into drinking and gambling during his first year, but then met Fanny Ford. Once he was engaged he became more serious about his studies and took his final examinations in 1845.
He and Fanny married in 1847 and Hughes was called to the Bar in 1848. Later he would become a Queens Counsel and serve as a county court judge in Chester.
Hughes had a strong social conscience and was very put off by the squalor and poverty he saw while training as a barrister in London. He joined the Christian Socialist party as a result, becoming very active in the movement.
With education being seen as a way out for the poor, Hughes and his friend Charles Kingsley began the Working Man’s College in London in 1854. His association with the college continued through his life, and be became Principal from 1873-1883.
Also, in 1855, Hughes revisited Uffington and began to write “Tom Brown’s School Days”. He wanted to give a view to his eldest son, Maurice who was approaching public school age. This book was followed by ‘The Scouring of the White Horse” and “Tom Brown at Oxford” but neither was as popular as the first.
In the early 1860’s, Hughes ran for Parliament. He was a representative of the Working Class and was elected MP for Lambeth in 1865.
He served for the three years in this position. He was appalled by the corruption he saw and tried to introduce legislation against false weights and measures, and on public house opening hours. This was not well received.
In 1868, he stood for election and won the seat representing Frome, a quiet market town in Somerset. He served in this capacity until 1873, and was very happy with the post.
He was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 1869. He continued to act on his social conscience and attempted to reorganize the city government and to provide life insurance for the poor.
He joined in founding the Co-operative Wholesale Society, which would effectively lower prices. He was encouraged when many industries joined the Co-operative, even when it cost him personal money. During this time he also spoke out for Church reform and began to have disputes with trade unions.
In 1879, Hughes invested heavily in a large tract of land in Tennessee and proposed to build a new town, to be called Rugby. It was to be a haven for young poor settlers from Britain and offer jobs and farming opportunities. Even his mother moved there and was the oldest resident. However, the colony eventually failed, although today there is interest in restoring the town.
In 1882, Hughes became County Court Judge in the circuit of Chester. He died on March 22, 1896 after serving for fourteen years. He remains best known for his semi-autobiographical novel of his days at Rugby School.
