Born at Hale, Cheshire, on 16 September 1879, third son of William Hughes, a draper, and his wife, née Clift. He was educated at Manchester Central School, which he left at the age of fourteen. While earning his own living as a dispenser he continued to educate himself, and had still to earn his living while passing through the University and Medical School at Manchester. He qualified with honours in 1904, and served as house surgeon, resident surgical officer (1913), and surgical registrar at the Royal Infirmary. In the University he was successively demonstrator of anatomy (1908), and lecturer in clinical anatomy and in operative surgery. He was external examiner in surgery for dental students. After postgraduate study at the London Hospital and St Bartholomew's, Hughes took the Fellowship and the Manchester Master of Surgery degree, with the only gold medal ever awarded for it, in 1912. During the war of 1914-18 he served in the RAMC with the rank of captain, in Mesopotamia, Egypt, East Africa, India, and France. After the war he returned to practice at 20 St John Street, Manchester, and became surgeon to Ancoats Hospital in 1920, and to the Manchester Children's Hospital, where he had been resident surgical officer in 1907. He was also consulting surgeon to the Stretford Memorial Hospital and the Manchester Ship Canal. He was president of the Manchester Surgical Society in 1935. Hughes married in 1922 Muriel Coppe, MB ChB, who survived him, but without children. They lived at Capesthorn, Wythenshawe Road, Northenden, Cheshire. He died in a nursing home on 5 November 1950, and was cremated after funeral service at St Michael's Church, Orton Road, Wythenshawe. Mrs Hughes died suddenly on 14 December 1950. Hughes was a shy, retiring man, a friendly teacher, and a dexterous and considerate surgeon. He enjoyed golf and bridge, was well read and a skilled musician and cellist. Publications:- The diagnosis of swellings of the testis. *Clin J* 1923, 52, 229. The clinical study of renal tuberculosis. *Clin J* 1930, 59, 289. The etiology of renal infections. *Clin J* 1932, 61, 421.