Nicholas Hughes
Born 1962 · Age 63
British-American fisheries biologist (1962–2009), expert in stream salmonid ecology; son of poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes; UAF faculty and researcher.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in North Tawton, Devon, England
Nicholas Farrar Hughes born to poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes in North Tawton, Devon.
Ted Hughes begins affair with Assia Wevill (family upheaval)
Summer 1962: Ted Hughes began an affair with Assia Wevill, an event that precipitated the separation of Plath and Hughes later that year.
Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes separate
Plath and Hughes separated in the autumn of 1962 while their two children were very young.
Plath's late poems and The Bell Jar (contextual family event)
Around the time of Nicholas's birth and death of Sylvia Plath, she produced poems that became Ariel and published The Bell Jar; one late poem, "Nick and the Candlestick," was addressed to him.
Mother Sylvia Plath dies by suicide
On Feb 11, 1963, Sylvia Plath died by suicide at home; she ensured the children's room was sealed so fumes would not reach them.
Assia Wevill kills child and herself
In 1969 Assia Wevill (Ted Hughes's partner after Plath) murdered her four-year-old daughter Shura and then died by suicide—another traumatic event in the extended family history.
Ted Hughes marries Carol Orchard
In 1970 Ted Hughes married Carol Orchard, who helped raise Frieda and Nicholas on the family farm in Devon.
Told about his mother's suicide (approx.)
Nicholas was not informed of the circumstances of Sylvia Plath's death until the 1970s; exact year unspecified (represented here as mid-1970s).
Graduated BA in Zoology from University of Oxford
Nicholas completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology at the University of Oxford (later converted to MA as per Oxbridge practice).
Joined Alaska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit as research assistant
Began working in Fairbanks, Alaska as a research assistant with the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (USGS Biological Resources Division).
Advanced understanding of fish microhabitat choice (career contribution)
Became known for research into why salmonids prefer particular positions in streams—combining flow and substrate influences on behavior.
Student intern, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game (Sportfish Division)
Served as a student intern with the Sportfish Division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (1990–1991).
Became member of the American Fisheries Society (career membership)
Nicholas was a member of the American Fisheries Society during his professional career (membership noted in his CV).
Conducted research in Alaska Interior and New Zealand
Carried out field research on stream salmonid ecology in the Alaska Interior and in New Zealand (dates span 1990s; multiple research trips).
Maintained privacy regarding family literary legacy
Over his life Nicholas repeatedly declined media attention linking him to his parents' literary fame, preferring privacy and focus on science.
Earned Ph.D. in Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Completed doctoral studies and awarded a Ph.D. in biology from UAF, solidifying a research career in fisheries and stream ecology.
Instructor, UAF School of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences
Held an instructing position at UAF's School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (1991–1992).
Research Associate, UAF Institute of Arctic Biology
Became a research associate with the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (1992–1998).
Post‑doctoral fellowship, Simon Fraser University (Behavioral Ecology)
Held a postdoctoral fellowship with the Behavioral Ecology Research Group at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC (1993–1995).
Research associate, Simon Fraser University
Continued as a research associate at Simon Fraser University after postdoc (1995–1998), contributing to behavioral and stream ecology work.
Ted Hughes publishes Birthday Letters (poems about Sylvia Plath)
Ted Hughes published Birthday Letters in 1998, a collection of poems about Sylvia Plath, dedicated to his children including Nicholas.
Appointed Assistant Professor, UAF School of Fisheries & Ocean Science
In September 1998 he became an assistant professor at the School of Fisheries and Ocean Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Returned to UK for Ted Hughes's funeral
Returned briefly to the UK to attend his father Ted Hughes's funeral after the elder Hughes died in October 1998.
Resigned faculty position at UAF
Resigned his faculty appointment at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in December 2006 but continued active scientific research.
Continued king salmon research after resignation
After leaving his faculty post he nonetheless continued scientific research focusing on king salmon until his death.
University profile/CV available online (archived)
An online curriculum vitae/profile for Nicholas on the UAF School of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences site dates to circa 2008 (archived copy exists).
Recognized posthumously as prominent Alaskan stream ecologist
Post-death coverage and colleagues' remarks highlighted his contributions to stream salmonid ecology and field research methodology.
Died by suicide at home in Fairbanks, Alaska
On March 16, 2009 Nicholas Hughes died by suicide at his home in Fairbanks; death attributed to long-term depression by family and colleagues.
Body found by girlfriend
His body was found at his Fairbanks home by his girlfriend; media reports followed in the days after his death.
Public announcements and obituaries
Public statements by his sister Frieda and stepmother Carol Hughes and obituaries in major outlets (NYT, BBC, Independent) appeared in late March 2009.
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