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Biographical entry Hughes, William Morris (1862 - 1952)

Born
25 September 1862
London, United Kingdom
Died
28 October 1952
Occupation
Politician - State - NSW (MLA or MLC), Politician - Federal, Trade Union - Official and Trade Union - Organiser

Summary

Born in London, England on the 25th September 1862, 'Billy' was the only child of Welsh immigrants. Arriving in Brisbane in 1884, a variety of work eventually saw Hughes settle in Sydney. In 1893 Hughes was appointed an Australian Workers' Union organiser. This was followed with appointments as Secretary of the Wharf Laborers' Union. Hughes founded the Trolley, Draymen & Carters' Union and became its foundation President. In 1900 he also founded and again became President of the Waterside Workers' Federation.
Entering State politics in 1894, Hughes moved to federal politics after federation. Hughes succeeded Fisher as Prime Minister in 1915 and went on to become one of Australia's most controversial leaders, thanks largely to his pro-conscription efforts during the First World War.

Archival resources

National Archives of Australia, National Office

  • Papers - William Morris 'Billy' Hughes., 1914 - 1954; National Archives of Australia, National Office. Details

National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection

  • Papers of William Morris Hughes, 1865-1958 (bulk 1930-1949), c. 1875 - 1979, MS 1538; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • William Morris Hughes - Papers 1940 May-1952, 1940 - 1952, MS 1001; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details

State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection

  • William Guthrie Spence - Papers, 1871 - 1927, MS 9917; State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection. Details

Published resources

Books

  • Farmer Whyte, W., William Morris Hughes: His Life and Times, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1957, 537 pp. Details

Book Sections

  • Fitzhardinge, L.F., 'William Morris Hughes', in Serle, Geoffrey and Nairn, Bede (eds), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 9, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1983, pp. 393-400. Details

Edited Books

  • Grattan, Michelle (ed.), Australian Prime Ministers, New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, Australia, 2001, 512 pp. Details

Online Resources

Ross G. Elford