by Keith Lewis-Jones
Plaque sited at the entrance to the Merthyr Tydfil Civic Centre, CF47 8AN
John Hughes (1814-1899) trained as an engineer at the Cyfarthfa Ironworks in his native Merthyr Tydfil. He acquired an international reputation in marine engineering and armament production.
He was invited by the Tsar to help in the development of Russian railways and heavy industry.
He moved to the Ukraine in 1870 and established a steelworks at Hughesovka (Yuzovka) which was first renamed Stalino & then Donetsk.
