[2] Sugden took his degree with honours in classics at University of London in 1873, and a year later was accepted for the Methodist ministry and appointed assistant tutor at Headingley theological college, Leeds.
[1] Sugden continued his interest in music and became a member of the Leeds Festival Chorus, and he also did some experimental work in psychical research and particularly in thought reading.
[2] In 1878 the Methodist Church decided to found the Queen's College, but nearly 10 years elapsed before funding allowed building to begin.
[2] Gifts and bequests came in over time however, and although four additions were made to the building during Sugden's term as master, he left it free of debt.
[2] Sugden's methods were based on those of his close friend and mentor, Benjamin Hellier—to find something in every person he could respect to use as a basis to build upon.
In 1919 Queen's College main tower, which houses the library, and a new front wing (including the chapel) were built.
[2] In 1927 Sugden was invited to deliver the annual Fernley lecture in England, and early in 1928 he was given leave of absence with the understanding that he would retire at the end of the year.
Sugden was also a member of the committee of the University Conservatorium of Music and later its chairman, played the cello in amateur orchestras.
The Private Life" in George Swinburne, A Biography (1931), contributed a chapter on the "Settlement of Tasmania and Victoria" in A Century in the Pacific (1914), and one "In Australasia" for A New History of Methodism, 1909.
Sugden also prepared Festal Songs for Sunday School Anniversaries in five series, and in 1921 edited with notes Wesley's Standard Sermons in two volumes.
"[2] Sugden was confined to his room when the Queen's College students serenaded him for the last time on his eighty-first birthday, and he died about a month later[2] on 22 July 1935 at his home in Hawthorn.
[1] Sugden showed great courage in writing to the press taking the side of Marshall Hall who had offended the churches with one of his publications.