Thomas Hughan (c. 1760 – 29 October 1811) was a Scottish slave trader, merchant and politician affiliated with the West India Dock Company.
[1] During the late 18th century, Hughan spent 12 years in Jamaica working for the slave-trading West India Dock Company, returning to London around 1797.
[3] Hughan served as a Member of Parliament twice, for the constituency of East Retford from 1806 to 1807, and for Dundalk from 25 July 1808 to 29 October 1811.
[4] On 27 February 1807, he used his maiden speech in the House of Commons to protest against the proposed abolition of the slave trade, stating that the bill was "fraught with ruin to the colonies and to the Empire",[1] and that "there did not exist a more happy race than the slaves in our colonies".
[9] Through his son and heir Thomas of Airds House, Parton, Galloway, he was a grandfather of Janetta Hughan, who married John Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland;[8] and Louisa Hughan, who married Sir Brydges Henniker, 4th Baronet (parents of Sir Arthur Henniker-Hughan, 6th Baronet, MP for Galloway).