Edwin Sawle Hughes
Edwin Sawle Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age North Adelaide, South Australia |
| Died | 22 October 1926 (aged 76) |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, naturalist |
| Known for | Role in Literary Societies movement, auctioneering in South Australia |
Edwin Sawle Hughes (26 February 1850 – 22 October 1926), frequently referred to as E. S. Hughes, was a notable South Australian auctioneer and naturalist who played a significant role in the Literary Societies movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
History
Hughes was born in North Adelaide to William Alexander Hughes, the Town Clerk who passed away in 1892. His education was completed at Whinham's school followed by studies at J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution. After a short tenure at the South Australian Treasury, he partnered with auctioneer Daniel Wilkie Melvin on King William Street before establishing his own auctioneering and valuation enterprise located at the Federal Mart on Grenfell Street.
Interests
In 1893, Hughes secured election as councillor for Young Ward on the Adelaide City Council, serving until 1895. Although his performance was commended, he lost his seat, possibly due to confusion with another candidate of a similar name. He maintained long-standing involvement with the Literary Society and was instrumental in founding its Union Parliament. His cultural engagements extended to participation in the University Shakespeare Society and Poetry Society, as well as chairing the Field Naturalists section of the Royal Society in 1925. Beyond these roles, Hughes acted as a Justice of the Peace, held presidency (in 1897 and 1899) and treasurer positions within the Adelaide branch of the Australian Natives' Association, and was among the original members of Adelaide’s Y.M.C.A.
Family
On 10 August 1875, Hughes married Wilhelmina Melvin Whiting (1852–1931), who was the niece of D. W. Melvin. They had two sons: Rupert St John Hughes (born 1876), residing in Melbourne, and Edwin Kenneth Hughes (born 1881), based in Unley.
His brother, William Alexander Hughes (1855–1943), distinguished himself as an AEI prize recipient and served as Adelaide manager for South British Insurance Co. Ltd.