Background
Hughes was born in Oakhurst, New Jersey, and attended Brown University.
Hughes was born in Oakhurst, New Jersey, and attended Brown University.
Brown University.
Hughes, known for his distinctive black eye patch, was called "the logical man" in a 1956 Time Magazine cover story. After graduating from college in 1917 he went to work for the National City Bank of New New York Foreign several years he was assigned to various overseas branches of the Bank, but returned to work at the Bank’s headquarters in New York City in 1927.
In April 1953 Hughes was appointed deputy director of the Bureau of the Budget.
He became Director of the Bureau in April 1954 following the resignation of Joseph Dodge. As Director, Hughes was responsible for preparing the national budget of the United States. government.
Due to his efforts the 1956 budget produced a surplus. Hughes retired from government service in April 1956 and died of arteriosclerosis on April 2, 1957, in San Francisco, California.