Hughes, Rupert, 1872-1956

Rupert Hughes was born in Lancaster, MO on January 31, 1872, and grew up in Keokuk, Iowa. He attended the Western Reserve Academy, and received a BA from Adelbert College, Cleveland, in 1892, and an MA from Yale University in 1893. His writing career began with a book for boys which was serialized in the highly regarded St. Nicholas magazine, and he was an assistant editor for several magazines. He eventually wrote more than 50 books. Hughes served in the New York National Guard during the Spanish-American War, as a captain in the Mexican border service in 1916, and in the infantry in WWI. He was active in the formation of the California State Guard in 1940, and was commander of the Second Regiment from 1941-43. he was an influential American writer on music and composer of piano pieces and songs. More than 50 movies were written and/or directed by Hughes or were based upon his stories and novels. He founded and served for decades as president of the Hollywood Writers Club, and also headed Screen Playwrights, the American Writers Association, and the Authors' League of America. He died in Los Angeles, CA on September 9, 1956.

From the description of Rupert Hughes papers, 1895-1954, undated. (San Leandro Community Library). WorldCat record id: 703452193

Rupert Hughes was a multi-faceted creative talent, successful as a novelist, historian, dramatist, composer, and filmmaker. Born in Missouri and raised in Iowa, he graduated from Adelbert College and studied music and literature at Yale University. He worked as a journalist, but found early success as a fiction writer, reaching a large audience with the quantity and diversity of his novels and stories. He also wrote for the stage, chiefly drama, but also musical comedy, and became a successful Broadway producer. Hughes wrote numerous popular books on history, composed popular songs, and published poetry. Throughout the 1920s, he wrote screenplays, some original and some based on his published works, and also directed a number of films, while continuing to write fiction and history, as well as becoming active in politics. Hughes was the uncle of iconic billionaire Howard Hughes.

From the description of Rupert Hughes letter to Frank B. Ward, 1928 Feb. 1. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 162135846

American author.

From the description of Letters of Rupert Hughes [manuscript], 1914-1938. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647830921

Biographical note

Rupert Hughes was born in Lancaster, MO on January 31, 1872, and grew up in Keokuk, Iowa. He attended the Western Reserve Academy, and received a BA from Adelbert College, Cleveland, in 1892, and an MA from Yale University in 1893. His writing career began with a book for boys which was serialized in the highly regarded St. Nicholas magazine, and he was an assistant editor for several magazines. He eventually wrote more than 50 books. Hughes served in the New York National Guard during the Spanish-American War, as a captain in the Mexican border service in 1916, and in the infantry in WWI. He was active in the formation of the California State Guard in 1940, and was commander of the Second Regiment from 1941-43. He was an influential American writer on music and composer of piano pieces and songs. More than 50 movies were written and/or directed by Hughes or were based upon his stories and novels. He founded and served for decades as president of the Hollywood Writers Club, and also headed Screen Playwrights, the American Writers Association, and the Authors' League of America. He died in Los Angeles, CA on September 9, 1956.

From the guide to the Rupert Hughes papers, 1895-1954, undated, (USC Libraries Special Collections)