Thomas Hughes was an English author and social reformer, best known for his novel Tom Brown's School Days, published in 1857. The book is a semi-autobiographical account of his experiences at Rugby School, highlighting the importance of character development and moral education. Hughes aimed to portray the values of friendship, loyalty, and integrity. In addition to his literary work, Hughes was an advocate for educational reform and co-founded the Working Men's College in London. He believed in providing education to the working class, promoting the idea that everyone should have access to learning and personal development, regardless of their background.