Hugh Davison Erwin was born in Ireland, 1879 and was educated at Queen’s College, Belfast and the Royal University of Ireland. In , Hugh (known affectionately as ‘Pooley’ due to his thick Irish accent when saying the word ‘Pulley’) accepted the position of Maths and Science Tutor at Christ’s College.
Under the terms of the affiliation with Christ’s College, the Hutchins Sixth Form came under his tutelage and so began a 34-year association with Hutchins. When the affiliation was dissolved in , Hugh moved to teach exclusively at Hutchins as Second Master, and Senior Science and Maths Master until his retirement in . Hugh served under five Headmasters and acted as Headmaster in during C C Thorold’s absence.
The number of prizes, exhibitions, scholarships and academic distinctions that his students won was outstanding not only in Tasmania, but in Australia. No less than 12 Hutchins students gained Rhodes Scholarships during his tenure. He created an aura of dignity and courtesy, and his interest in those he taught was individual in all cases. A proud Anglican, Hugh’s scientific outlook did not detract from, but rather strengthened, his belief in God.
Upon retirement, Hugh served on the Board of Management and as a final gesture, he left his complete library and the major portion of his estate to the School. Hugh’s estate was used to create the H D Erwin Scholarship and to fund the science wing at the Sandy Bay site in .
