Richard Hughes, English author, poet, and playwright (d. 1976)

Richard Arthur Warren Hughes (1900–1976) was a distinguished British writer, celebrated for his diverse contributions across poetry, short stories, novels, and plays. Born on April 19, 1900, in the tranquil setting of Weybridge, Surrey, Hughes's early life offered a blend of English upbringing and a hint of exotic heritage through his mother, Louisa Grace Warren, who had spent her formative years in the vibrant West Indies, specifically Jamaica. His father, Arthur Hughes, served as a civil servant, providing a stable foundation for the future literary figure. Hughes received a classical education, attending the esteemed Charterhouse School before advancing to Oriel College, Oxford, where he completed his studies in 1922, marking the beginning of a prolific literary career.

Hughes's talent emerged remarkably early. In 1917, while still a student, a perceptive schoolmaster at Charterhouse recognized his precocious ability and submitted Hughes's first published work to the prestigious magazine, The Spectator. This article, originally a school essay, was a critical review of Alec Waugh's recently published novel, The Loom of Youth. Waugh's book had caused a considerable stir, or "furore," by openly addressing homosexual passions among British schoolboys within the confines of a public school, a topic rarely discussed publicly at the time. This early foray into literary criticism showcased Hughes's keen intellect and willingness to engage with controversial subjects. His time at Oxford further cemented his literary connections; there, he encountered Robert Graves, another Old Carthusian, and together they co-edited Oxford Poetry in 1921, a significant platform for emerging voices. By 1922, Hughes’s short play, The Sisters' Tragedy, had already found its way to the West End, gracing the stage of the Royal Court Theatre, an impressive achievement for a young writer.

However, one of Hughes's most pioneering achievements arrived shortly after his graduation. Commissioned by Nigel Playfair for the burgeoning British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hughes authored A Comedy Of Danger, which made history as the world's first radio play. Broadcast on January 15, 1924, this groundbreaking work demonstrated his innovative spirit and willingness to explore new mediums for storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of dramatic arts.

A Life of Travel, Family, and Welsh Literary Connections

Before settling into married life, Hughes embraced a career as a journalist, a path that led him to travel extensively and broaden his perspectives, undoubtedly enriching his subsequent literary works. In 1932, he married the talented painter Frances Bazley (1905–1985), forming a union of two creative spirits. Initially, the couple established their home in the picturesque county of Norfolk. However, in 1934, they made a significant move to Castle House in Laugharne, a charming coastal town in South Wales, which would become a notable literary sanctuary.

It was at Castle House that Hughes played a crucial role in the life and career of another iconic Welsh writer, Dylan Thomas. Thomas was a guest of the Hughes family and, during his stay, penned his acclaimed collection of short stories, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. Hughes was, in fact, instrumental in encouraging Thomas to relocate permanently to the area, further cementing Laugharne's reputation as a haven for artists and writers.

Literary Milestones: From Amoral Children to Historical Epics

Despite his diverse output, Richard Hughes authored only four novels, each making a distinctive impact. His most renowned work is undoubtedly The Innocent Voyage, published in 1929. Soon after its initial release, Hughes retitled it A High Wind in Jamaica, the title by which it is most widely known today. Set in the 19th century, the novel provocatively explores the unexpected aftermath of a group of English children's accidental capture by pirates. Hughes brilliantly subverts conventional morality, revealing the children to be considerably more amoral and unsettling than their pirate captors, offering a chilling psychological study. It was within the pages of this compelling novel that Hughes also made a lighter contribution to popular culture, famously describing the potent cocktail known as "Hangman's Blood."

In 1938, Hughes published In Hazard, an allegorical novel demonstrating his ability to draw profound meaning from real-world events. This gripping tale was based on the harrowing true story of the S.S. Phemius, a ship caught for four days in the ferocious 1932 Cuba hurricane, enduring its maximum intensity. Beyond his adult fiction, Hughes also delighted younger readers with volumes of children's stories, including the enchanting collection, The Spider's Palace, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller.

Wartime Service, Cinematic Ventures, and an Unfinished Magnum Opus

During the tumultuous years of World War II, Richard Hughes contributed to the war effort from a desk in the Admiralty, a role that likely involved administrative or intelligence duties. This period also saw him forge connections with prominent architects Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry, whose children found refuge and stayed with the Hughes family for much of the war. Following the cessation of hostilities, Hughes embarked on a decade-long engagement with Ealing Studios, where he dedicated his talents to writing scripts for the celebrated British film company. This extensive period in cinema explains the hiatus in his novelistic output, as he published no new novels between 1938 and 1961.

His return to long-form fiction marked the beginning of his ambitious historical trilogy, The Human Predicament. Sadly, only the first two volumes, The Fox in the Attic (1961) and The Wooden Shepherdess (1973), were completed before his death. While the final volume remained largely unfinished, twelve chapters, amounting to less than 50 pages, have since been published, offering a glimpse into his intended conclusion. In this monumental work, Hughes meticulously charts the tumultuous course of European history from the 1920s through World War II, weaving together real historical figures and events—such as Adolf Hitler's escape after the abortive Munich Putsch—with his own intricate fictional narratives, creating a rich tapestry of the era.

Later Life and Enduring Legacy

Later in his life, Richard Hughes relocated to Ynys, a tranquil location in Gwynedd, North Wales, where he continued to be an integral part of his community. He served as churchwarden of Llanfihangel-y-traethau, the local village church, a testament to his community spirit. It was there, at his home, that he passed away on April 28, 1976, and was subsequently laid to rest in the churchyard. His significant contributions to literature did not go unrecognized. Hughes was a respected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in the United Kingdom and, across the Atlantic, held honorary memberships in both the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, underscoring his international esteem. In recognition of his service and literary achievements, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1946.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Hughes

Who was Richard Hughes?

Richard Hughes (1900–1976) was a notable British writer celebrated for his versatility across various literary forms, including novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. He is particularly remembered for his pioneering work in radio drama and his critically acclaimed novel, A High Wind in Jamaica.

What was Richard Hughes's most famous novel?

His most famous novel is The Innocent Voyage, which was soon retitled and is best known as A High Wind in Jamaica (1929). It is celebrated for its psychological depth and its unconventional portrayal of children’s morality when captured by pirates.

Did Richard Hughes write the first radio play?

Yes, Richard Hughes is credited with writing A Comedy Of Danger, which holds the distinction of being the world's first radio play. It was commissioned by the BBC and broadcast on January 15, 1924.

What was Richard Hughes's connection to Dylan Thomas?

Richard Hughes had a significant connection with Dylan Thomas. Thomas stayed with the Hughes family at Castle House in Laugharne, South Wales, where he wrote Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. Hughes was instrumental in encouraging Thomas to make the area his permanent home.

What was the controversy surrounding Alec Waugh's The Loom of Youth, which Hughes reviewed?

The Loom of Youth by Alec Waugh caused a significant public uproar due to its candid depiction of homosexual passions among British schoolboys within a public school setting. Hughes's first published work was an unfavorable criticism of this novel, showcasing his early engagement with contemporary literary debates.