Hughes, Walter Watson - Bright Sparcs Biographical entry

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Hughes, Walter Watson (1803 - 1887)

Grazier and Mine opperator

Born: 22 August 1803 Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland. Died: 1 January 1887 United Kingdom.

(Sir) Walter Watson 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.

Career Highlights

Chronology
1840 Migrated to Australia (Adelaide)
1840 - 1843 Sheep farming near Macclesfield, South Australia
1851 Took over The Peak grazing property at Hoyleton
1854 Leased Wallaroo station
1864 - 1870 Worked in England
1867 Patented Improvement in the Process of Melting and Refining Copper
1873 Migrated back to England
1880 Knighted for his services to South Australia

Structure based on ISAAR(CPF) - click here for an explanation of the fields.

Prepared by: Annette Alafaci
Created: 18 October 2006

Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007
Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
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Updated: 26 February 2007
http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P004814b.htm

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