Biographical entry Hughes, Walter Watson (1803 - 1887)

Summary

Sir Walter Hughes was a highly successful grazier and copper mine owner who patented an 'Improvement in the Process of Melting and Refining Copper' (15 January 1867). He arrived in Australia in 1840 and almost immediately took up sheep farming. From humble beginnings Hughes ended up owning several properties across South Australia. In 1854 he and his family leased the vast Wallaroo station. This property not only provided excellent grazing territory for his sheep but it was also the site of a major copper deposit. Wallaroo Mine Co. was established and Hughes became the largest shareholder and company owner.

Details

Events

1840

Life event - Migrated to Australia (Adelaide)

1840 - 1843

Career position - Sheep farming near Macclesfield, South Australia

1851

Career position - Took over The Peak grazing property at Hoyleton

1854

Career position - Leased Wallaroo station

1864 - 1870

Career position - Worked in England

1867

Career position - Patented Improvement in the Process of Melting and Refining Copper

1873

Life event - Migrated back to England

1880

Award - Knighted for his services to South Australia

Published resources

Book Sections

• Van Dissel, Dirk, 'Hughes, Sir Walter Watson', in Douglas Pike (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 4, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1972, pp. 440-441. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A040496b.htm. Details

Journal Articles

• Hughes, Walter Watson, 'Improvement in the Process of Melting and Refining Copper, &c. (Patent, 15 Jan., 1867)', Specifications of Letters of Registration of Patents for Inventions - South Australia , vol. 1, no. 77, 1848-68. Details

Online Resources

• National Library of Australia, 'Hughes, Walter Watson', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1474227. Details