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Sir Samuel Hughes

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"SIR SAMUEL HUGHES (18J3-1921), Canadian soldier and politician, was born at Darlington, Ont., Jan. 8 1853. His father was an Irishman and his mother of Scotch-Irish and Huguenot descent. From the age of 13 he belonged to the Canadian volunteer militia, with which he saw service in 1870 at the time of the Fenian raids. In 1873 he was gazetted to the 45 t h regiment. Educated at Toronto University, he became a lecturer in English at the Toronto Collegiate Institute and held that post until 1885, when he gave up teaching for journalism, being editor and proprietor of the Lindsay Warder from 1885 to 1897. In 1892 he was elected to the Dominion Parliament, but in 1899 he interrupted his political career to serve in the South African War, where he commanded a mixed force of English and colonial scouts in western Cape Colony. The year 1911 saw him in England, where he attended the coronation of George V. On his return to Canada he became Minister of Militia and Defence, and in that capacity was responsible for the creation of the Overseas force which in 1914 came over to take its share in the World War. In 1915 he was created K.C.B. and promoted major-general. But, in spite of his strong personality, he was not easy to work with, and difficulties with Sir Robert Borden led to his sudden resignation of office in Nov. 1916. His health subsequently failed. In July 1921 he announced his intention of retiring from Parliament, and he died Aug. 24 1921.