Richard Hughes, American author and poet (b. 1900)

Richard Arthur Warren Hughes (19 April 1900 – 28 April 1976) was a distinguished British man of letters, celebrated for his versatile contributions to poetry, short stories, novels, and plays. His literary career spanned much of the 20th century, marking him as a significant voice in British literature.

Early Life and Academic Foundations

Born in the picturesque town of Weybridge, Surrey, Hughes came from a background rooted in both civil service and the wider British Empire. His father, Arthur Hughes, served as a civil servant, while his mother, Louisa Grace Warren, had spent her formative years in the vibrant Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica. This diverse familial heritage perhaps subtly influenced his later explorations of human nature and exotic settings. His early education took him to the venerable Charterhouse School, a prestigious public school known for nurturing many notable literary figures. Following this, he advanced to Oriel College, Oxford, where he immersed himself in the intellectual currents of the time, successfully graduating in 1922.

A Pioneering Literary Voice Emerges

Hughes's talent surfaced remarkably early. In 1917, while still a student at Charterhouse, a discerning schoolmaster recognized his potential and submitted one of his essays to the esteemed magazine, The Spectator, where it was subsequently published. This debut article was a sharp, critical review of Alec Waugh's recently published novel, The Loom of Youth. Waugh's book had ignited a considerable public furore due to its frank depiction of homosexual passions among British schoolboys within the confines of a public school setting – a daring topic for its era. While at Oxford, Hughes cultivated significant literary connections, most notably forming a friendship with Robert Graves, another Old Carthusian. Together, they collaborated as co-editors for the influential poetry publication, Oxford Poetry, in 1921, fostering a new generation of poetic talent. By 1922, his short play, The Sisters' Tragedy, had already achieved the notable distinction of being staged in London's West End at the Royal Court Theatre, signaling his rapid ascent in the dramatic arts. However, perhaps his most enduring early claim to fame came with the pioneering work, A Comedy Of Danger. Commissioned by Nigel Playfair for the BBC and broadcast on 15 January 1924, this innovative piece holds the unique distinction of being the world's very first radio play, demonstrating Hughes's forward-thinking approach to storytelling and media.

Journalism, Marriage, and Literary Communities

Before settling into married life, Hughes embarked on a period of extensive travel, honing his observational skills as a journalist. This broader worldview undoubtedly enriched his later fiction. In 1932, he married the talented painter Frances Bazley (1905-1985), establishing a creative partnership that would endure. Initially, the couple made their home in the quiet expanses of Norfolk. However, in 1934, they relocated to Castle House in Laugharne, a charming coastal town in South Wales that would become a beacon for literary figures. It was here that the legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas found a temporary home, and indeed, it was within the walls of Castle House that Thomas penned his celebrated collection of short stories, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. Hughes played a pivotal role in Thomas's life, instrumental in encouraging his eventual permanent relocation to the captivating Gower Peninsula region, solidifying Laugharne's place in literary history.

A Master of the Novel: Exploring Human Nature

Despite his prolific output across various forms, Richard Hughes authored a surprisingly compact but profoundly impactful body of only four novels. His most renowned work is undoubtedly The Innocent Voyage, first published in 1929. Interestingly, Hughes soon retitled it A High Wind in Jamaica, a name by which it is now almost universally known. This captivating novel, set in the 19th century, delves into the unsettling events that unfold after a group of English children are accidentally captured by pirates. In a stark and unsettling subversion of expectations, the narrative reveals the children to be considerably more amoral and capable of chilling detachment than their supposed captors – a profound commentary on the nature of innocence and evil. It was also within the pages of this memorable novel that Hughes first introduced the now-famous cocktail, "Hangman's Blood." In 1938, he penned another compelling novel, In Hazard, an allegorical tale inspired by the harrowing true story of the S.S. Phemius. This vessel endured a terrifying ordeal, caught for four days in the maximum intensity of the devastating 1932 Cuba hurricane, a testament to humanity's vulnerability against the raw power of nature. Beyond his adult fiction, Hughes also delighted younger readers with volumes of enchanting children's stories, including the widely loved The Spider's Palace.

Wartime Service and Post-War Productions

With the outbreak of World War II, Richard Hughes contributed to the war effort from a unique vantage point, serving in a desk job at the Admiralty. During this tumultuous period, his family offered refuge to the children of the esteemed architects Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry, underscoring the solidarity and challenges of wartime Britain. Following the cessation of hostilities, Hughes embarked on a decade-long engagement with Ealing Studios, where he dedicated his talents to scriptwriting, contributing to the golden age of British cinema. This commitment meant a hiatus from novel writing, with no new adult fiction appearing until 1961. His grand literary project of this later period was the ambitious trilogy, The Human Predicament. Tragically, only the first two volumes, The Fox in the Attic (1961) and The Wooden Shepherdess (1973), were completed during his lifetime. A mere twelve chapters, amounting to less than 50 pages, of the concluding volume have since been published. Across these powerful novels, Hughes masterfully charts the complex and often turbulent course of European history from the 1920s through World War II, weaving together real historical figures and momentous events – such as Hitler's escape after the abortive Munich Putsch – with deeply imagined fictional narratives, offering a rich tapestry of the era.

Final Years and Enduring Legacy

In his later years, Richard Hughes chose the tranquil landscapes of Ynys in Gwynedd, North Wales, as his home. He remained deeply connected to his local community, serving as a churchwarden for Llanfihangel-y-traethau, the charming village church. It was there, upon his passing at home in 1976, that he was laid to rest. Throughout his distinguished career, Hughes received significant recognition for his literary contributions. He was a revered Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in the United Kingdom, and his influence extended across the Atlantic, where he was honored as an honorary member of both the prestigious National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Letters in the United States. Furthermore, his service and literary excellence were formally acknowledged by the Crown with the award of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1946, cementing his place as a truly celebrated figure in 20th-century British letters.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Hughes

What is Richard Hughes best known for?
He is most celebrated for his novel The Innocent Voyage (also known as A High Wind in Jamaica), his pioneering work on the world's first radio play, A Comedy Of Danger, and his unfinished but ambitious trilogy, The Human Predicament.
Was Richard Hughes connected to Dylan Thomas?
Yes, significantly. Dylan Thomas lived with Hughes at Castle House in Laugharne, South Wales, where he wrote Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. Hughes was also instrumental in Thomas's decision to relocate permanently to the area.
What was the significance of A High Wind in Jamaica?
This novel gained renown for its unsettling exploration of childhood innocence, depicting English children as more amoral than their pirate captors, thereby challenging conventional perceptions of good and evil. It also famously introduced the "Hangman's Blood" cocktail.
Did Richard Hughes write children's books?
Yes, alongside his adult novels and plays, he also authored volumes of children's stories, including the popular collection The Spider's Palace.
What was Richard Hughes's role during World War II?
During World War II, he served in a desk job at the Admiralty, contributing to the war effort. His home also provided refuge for the children of architects Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry during this time.