'Australian born of Irish Protestant parents, William Hughston was a teacher, historian and writer. His achievements include the founding of three schools, the introduction of innovative methods of education and a key role in the founding of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV). An intellectual with an enquiring mind, he grasped and implemented new ideas enthusiastically. Tenacity, however, does not seem to have been one of his virtues. Despite his failure to sustain his projects, his contributions were significant, with the RHSV and Fintona Girls’ School being his noteworthy legacies.' ( Victorian Historical Journal, Vol. 86, No. 2, pp 299-320)
