Hughes began law practice in New York and became Professor of Law at Cornell University. He was Governor of New York in 1907, and later was a judge. After defeat for the presidency, Hughes later served as Secretary of State for Harding, and he presided over the 1921 Armaments Conference in Washington. He was appointed by President Hoover to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

His biographers parallel Hughes with Alton Parker in many respects, their liking for court work, their indifference to political activity, and their reluctance to talk issues until the campaign was underway. Unlike Parker, Hughes was able to return to the field he liked after defeat. His attitude during the campaign had been foreign to his nature, which disappointed his party and his friends, and probably contributed to his defeat.

Hughes upheld the freedom of the press and civil liberties and he effectively opposed Franklin D. Roosevelt’s court reorganization plans.