Hughes, Rupert George Washington: The Human Being and the Hero 1732-1762

Hughes, Rupert George Washington: The Human Being and the Hero 1732-1762New York: William Morrow & Company, 1926. First edition of the first volume in Hughes' three volume biography. Signed by the author on front free endpaper. Nice copy, near fine with mild shelf wear to bottom edges and one light corner bump. Dust wrapper is fully present, though split at side of front panel, a little chipped at spine tips, toning to spine. Hughes an American novelist, film director, Oscar nominated screenwriter, military officer, and

New York: William Morrow & Company, 1926.  First edition of the first volume in Hughes' three volume biography.

Signed by the author on front free endpaper.

Nice copy, near fine with mild shelf wear to bottom edges and one light corner bump.  Dust wrapper is fully present, though split at side of front panel, a little chipped at spine tips, toning to spine.

Hughes -- an American novelist, film director, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, military officer, and music composer -- was prompted to write Washington's biography by the reaction to a speech in January 1926 at a meeting of the Sons of the Revolution in Washington, D.C., in which he called for truth in history, pointing out some fables about the first president and facts from the Washington diary indicating some of the national hero's human traits. A man in the audience berated Hughes, then provided a garbled account to a newspaper, and the story went across the nation. Hughes was misquoted, castigated by pulpiteers and temperance leaders, and condemned editorially. Despite his protestations that his intentions had been misunderstood and he had, in fact, praised Washington, criticism continued.

To set the record straight, Hughes began his biography based largely upon original research. The first volume was viewed by the New York Times as a "highly favorable one, emphasizing [Washington's] humanness."  Hughes' biography has been praised by other biographers, such as Douglas Southall Freeman and James Thomas Flexner.

Hughes was also was the brother of  Howard R. Hughes Sr. and uncle of billionaire Howard R. Hughes Jr.