Philip Hughes (historian)

Philip Hughes (11 May 1895 – 6 October 1967) was a Roman Catholic priest and Catholic ecclesiastical historian. He taught post-graduate courses at the University of Notre Dame.



Early life
Hughes was born in Gorton, Manchester, on 11 May 1895. He received his early education at St Augustine's RC School, Manchester prior to being admitted to St Bede's College, Manchester in September 1907, graduating at midsummer 1912. He then studied at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw and Leeds Seminary, where he was ordained deacon on 16 June 1917, prior to continuing his studies at Louvain University where he received his degree in 1921. He was ordained as a priest in 1920.

Career
After ordination Hughes spent three years in Rome, undertaking research. In 1923, he was appointed history professor at St Thomas College in Minnesota, United States. The following year he was recalled to the Diocese of Salford and began parish work as curate at Salford Cathedral, moving to St Chad's, Cheetham Hill in 1925, St Anne, Fairfield in 1929 and finally to St Thomas of Canterbury, Higher Broughton in 1930.

In 1931, Hughes moved to London, to lecture at the new Catholic Centre for Higher Studies, founded by Frank Sheed. In 1934 he was appointed archivist for the Archdiocese of Westminster. He remained in London until 1955 when he was offered a post as professor of reformation history at the University of Notre Dame. He was awarded the title of Monsignor in 1957.

Hughes died in America on 6 October 1967, at 72, and was buried in South Bend, Indiana, United States.