Walter Hughes Statue, Adelaide

The statue of Sir Walter Watson Hughes in Adelaide is a tribute to one of the key founders and first donor of the University of Adelaide. This dark bronze sculpture, created by the renowned sculptor Francis Williamson, who was favored by Queen Victoria, depicts Hughes seated in a relaxed manner in a chair. The statue is prominently positioned on a large pedestal made of Murray Bridge granite, located outside the historic Mitchell Building on the University campus.

Sir Walter Watson Hughes, originally from Scotland and born in 1803, emigrated to South Australia in 1840, where he established himself as a successful businessman, pastoralist, and public benefactor. Before being knighted, Hughes was often called "Captain Hughes," a reference to his earlier career as a master in the merchant navy, where he participated in whaling expeditions in the Arctic.

Hughes is particularly celebrated for his substantial contribution to higher education in South Australia. In 1872, he donated £20,000, a significant sum at the time, to support the establishment of a university in the region. This donation was instrumental in founding the University of Adelaide in 1874, the first university in the state and the third in Australia. Hughes is often referred to as the "father" of the University for his pivotal role in its creation and his endowment of the Chairs of Classics, English Language and Literature, as well as Mental and Moral Philosophy.

The statue, funded by Hughes's nephews, stands as a lasting memorial to his contributions to education and the development of South Australia.