Thomas McKenny Hughes (1832-1917) was born on 17 December 1832, the eldest child of the Revd Joshua Hughes (1807-1889) and his wife Margaret, daughter and ultimately heiress of Sir Thomas McKenny (1832-1917), Lord Mayor of Dublin. Hughes was educated at Leamington College and the Welsh Educational Institution, Llandovery, before entering Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1853 (B.A., 1857). He joined the Geological Survey in 1861, and was Woodwardian Professor of Geology, Cambridge University, 1873-1917. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1889. In November 1882 he married Mary Caroline Weston, daughter of Canon G.F. Weston (1819-1887), Vicar of Crosby Ravensworth, and Caroline Weston (1824-1864). They had three sons, Alfred Weston (1895-1970), George Ravensworth (1888-1983) and Thomas McKenny (1884-1918). Hughes died on 9 June 1917.
From the guide to the Thomas McKenny Hughes: Personal and family papers, 19th century-early 20th century, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
