Person

Hughes, Walter Watson (1803 - 1887)

Born
22 August 1803
Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland
Died
1 January 1887
United Kingdom
Occupation
Grazier and Mine operator

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

Chronology

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

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

  • Collins, David, Chemistry in 19th Australia - Select Bibliography, An exhibition of the Encyclopedia circa 2005 with assistance from Ailie Smith and Gavan McCarthy., eScholarship Research Centre (original publisher), Melbourne, 2009, https://eoas.info/exhibitions/ciab/ciab_ALL.html. Details

Book Sections

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, 1 (77) (1848-68). Details

Resources

Annette Alafaci

EOAS ID: biogs/P004814b.htm

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