Interview with Patrick Henry Hughes, Jr., August 10, 1984

Interview Summary

Patrick Henry Hughes, Jr. was an education veteran of the Philadelphia School District. He retired in 1977 after 31 years of service. A 1932 graduate of Temple University, he served as a law clerk for Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. before becoming a teacher at Kelly School in 1946. In 1952, he moved to Gideon School where he taught until 1960 when he became an administrative assistant to the principle. Known for his caring, but stern, disciplinarian style, Mr. Hughes was instrumental in curbing gang violence in and around the school during the 1950's. As a teacher, he was fondly remembered as the man who asked his students to substitute expletives with the words "John Brown". Mr. Hughes was a member of the Zion Baptist Church at Broad and Venango Streets (his father founded Grace Baptist Church at Germantown Ave. and Johnson St.). He was involved with several secular organizations as well, singing with the Kestrel Linnet Choral Group for 27 years; a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for 60 years, and a long-time Mason with King David Lodge 52 F&A.M. He was also an avid reader. Mr. Hughes was married to Naomi Monroe Hughes with whom he had one daughter, Patricia H. Hughes-Williams. Mr. Hughes died in December 1990.

Interview Keyword

education teacher

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