Quentin Hughes

James Quentin Hughes , OBE , MC (born February 28, 1920 in Newsham Park , Liverpool , † May 8, 2004 ) was a British officer, architect and university professor. His work made a significant contribution to the preservation of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in Liverpool.

Life

Hughes was the son of a vicar of the Church in Wales . After attending Rydal School in Colwyn Bay , North Wales , he began studying architecture at the University of Liverpool in 1937 .

At the beginning of the Second World War , Hughes volunteered for the Royal Artillery . He was drafted into the 208 Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment and then transferred to the 48/71 D Battery RA in Malta . After the end of the second major siege of Malta , Hughes joined the 2nd Battalion of the Special Air Service , stationed in Philippeville , Algeria . The battalion was used in acts of sabotage in Italy . In one of these companies in the course of Operation Pomegranate Hughes was injured and captured on January 12, 1942 on the airfield in San Egidio. As a result of his injuries, Hughes lost hearing in one ear and went blind in one eye. On May 10, 1944, with the help of Italian partisans, he managed to escape from German captivity. After his convalescence , Hughes returned to the 2nd Battalion of the SAS in Prestwick , Ayrshire as commander of the HQ squadron. After he had an accident with his vehicle in 1945, he was dismissed from military service with the rank of major . Hughes was awarded the Military Cross twice during his military service .

Hughes graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in architecture. He then continued his studies at the University of Leeds to complete his habilitation . From 1948 to 1956 Hughes was a lecturer in architecture at the University of Leeds, then at the University of Liverpool.

Hughes' work contributed to the preservation of the Oriel Chambers, the world's first building with a metal and glass curtain wall

In 1964, Hughes published Seaport: Architecture & Townscape in Liverpool , in which he outlined the importance of Victorian and Edwardian architecture to the city. His activities helped to maintain the Albert Dock Warehouse , Oriel Chambers and other buildings in Liverpool. Hughes' book influenced the establishment of a national movement against the brutalism of the 1960s. In 1967 he developed plans to preserve the historic buildings in Liverpool, which were taken over by the city council.

In addition to his academic career, Hughes also worked as an architect and designed houses in Surrey . Hughes was also involved in the renovation of Greenbank House in Liverpool and the renovation work on Bridge Street and Eastgate Street in Chester .

In 1968 Hughes moved the focus of his activities to Malta, where he established the School of Architecture at the Royal University . In 1970 he became the first professor of architecture at this university. Hughes was a co-founder of the Fortress Study Group in 1975 and was the first editor of the journal , Fort , of the group. In 1984 Hughes was made an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool.

From 1995 to 2001, Hughes was chairman of the Merseyside Civic Trust . Under his direction, commercialization of the public space at Liverpool Pier Head was halted. In 1999 he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire , and the following year he was made Honorary Professor of Architecture at Liverpool John Moores University . In 2004 he received the National Order of Merit of Malta , the island nation's highest civilian honor.

Publications

• The Building of Malta 1530-1795 (1956)
• Seaport: Architecture & Townscape in Liverpool (1964)
• Fortress: Architecture and Military History in Malta (1969)
• Military Architecture (1974)
• Britain in the Mediterranean & the defense of her naval stations (1981)
• Malta: a guide to the fortification (1993)
• Who Cares Who Wins (1998)
• Malta: The Baroque Island (2003)

Web links

• Obituary In: Guardian (English)
• Obituary In: Independent (English)
• Obituary In: Telegraph (English)