Robert M. Hughes

Robert Morton Hughes (September 10, 1855 – January 15, 1940) was a Virginia lawyer who served as a president of The Virginia Bar Association and helped establish what became Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Hughes was born in the house of his mother's adoptive parents, Gov. John B. Floyd and Sally Preston Floyd at Abingdon, Virginia. Through his parents, Judge Robert W. Hughes and Eliza Johnston Hughes, he was related to many of Western Virginia's prominent families. Hughes spent most of his early life in Abingdon.

Hughes entered the College of William and Mary in 1870 at the age of 15 and graduated with an A. B. degree in 1873. His association with William and Mary continued for the rest of his life. Hughes was president of the Alumni Association for 1892-93, and served on the college's Board of Visitors from 1893 to 1918 and was rector from 1905 to 1918. In 1920 the College awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 1933, Hughes was the commencement speaker.Washington & Lee University gave him an honorary doctorate of laws degree in 1926. Hughes was a member of the Virginia State Board of Education from 1930-1935. For his part in establishing what became Old Dominion University, in 1959, the Robert M. Hughes Memorial Library was named for him.

Hughes also attended the University of Virginia Law School and earned a degree in 1877. After being admitted to the bar this same year, Hughes set up practice in Norfolk, Virginia, where he would continue to work until his retirement in 1920. His specialty was admiralty law. Hughes was elected president of the Virginia Bar Association in 1895. He was chairman of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners from 1910-1923.

...
Wikipedia