Charles Evans Hughes was born on November 11, 1862, in Glens Falls, New York. He was the son of a Welsh immigrant who worked as a preacher. Hughes showed academic promise from a young age and attended local schools before going on to study at Madison College and eventually Columbia Law School, where he graduated in 1884.
After graduating from law school, Hughes quickly made a name for himself as a talented lawyer in New York City. His reputation for hard work and integrity led him to be appointed as the counsel to the New York State Senate in 1896. Hughes later served as a professor of law at Cornell Law School and then as the Governor of New York from 1907 to 1910.
In 1910, President William Howard Taft nominated Charles Evans Hughes to serve as an associate justice on the United States Supreme Court. Hughes's tenure on the Court was marked by his reputation as a thoughtful and fair-minded jurist. He was known for his emphasis on legal precision and his dedication to upholding the Constitution.
In 1916, Charles Evans Hughes was appointed as the 11th Chief Justice of the United States, a position he held until 1930. As Chief Justice, Hughes oversaw several landmark cases, including the famous Schenck v. United States case, in which the Court upheld the constitutionality of the Espionage Act of 1917. Hughes's leadership during this time solidified his place as one of the most prominent legal minds of his era.
In 1888, Charles Evans Hughes married Antoinette Carter, with whom he had four children. Despite his busy career in law and politics, Hughes remained dedicated to his family and was known for his strong sense of moral values.
After leaving the Supreme Court, Hughes returned to private practice as a lawyer in New York City. He continued to be involved in public service, serving as the Secretary of State under President Warren G. Harding and as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Hughes also made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1916.
Charles Evans Hughes passed away on August 27, 1948, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in American legal history.