Egyptologist George R. Hughes specialized in translation and interpretation of a wide range of Demotic texts, including agricultural, political, religious, and astrological writings, as well as wall inscriptions. Hughes came from a Welsh community in Nebraska to the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1929, intending to specialize in religious studies; advised by his then-professor William F. Edgerton to study Egyptology, he enrolled in the Department of Oriental Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago in 1932. Hughes was instrumental to the Oriental Institute’s Demotic Dictionary Project as a Research Assistant from 1934–42, and soon published his dissertation on Saite Demotic farmland leases. During World War II, Hughes, along with several colleagues skilled in deciphering ancient languages, worked at the U.S. Intelligence Service in modern cryptography.  

In 1946, Hughes joined the Oriental Institute’s Epigraphic Survey in Luxor, Egypt, for which he would serve as Field Director from 1949–1964. During his time at Luxor, Hughes turned the project’s Chicago House headquarters into a major center for Egyptological research, publication, and the informal exchange of ideas, overseeing the publication of eight Oriental Institute Publication volumes containing new translations and facsimiles; compiling photographic records of monuments and dictionary aids; preparing, for several years, “The Oriental Institute Archaeological Report on the Near East,” which appeared in the Journal of Near Eastern Studies; and maintaining an extensive library as a resource for visiting Egyptologists. His major area of research was in documenting and interpreting damaged wall inscriptions at the Temple of Khonsu, the Bubastite Portal in Karnak, the Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, and the tomb of Eighteenth Dynasty noble Kheruef. From 1961–62, Hughes also oversaw the Oriental Institute’s excavation at Serra East in the Sudan.

Several years after returning to Chicago, Hughes was unanimously elected to serve as the Director of the Oriental Institute, a position which he held from 1968–1972. As Director, Hughes secured much financial support for the Institute and created a full-time, professional Curator position for the Oriental Institute Museum; he also held his post as professor from 1961 to his retirement in 1975. Afterwards, he served as a pastor at Hyde Park Union Church until shortly before his death in 1992; his published sermons can be found in the Church’s collection Chastened in Time.