Born in Colchester, Essex in 1917, Hugh Barrett left school at sixteen to become a farm pupil, as described in Early to Rise. Following this he stuck mainly to farming, the basis of his second book, A Good Living. From 1953 his farming activities were joined by work as a journalist and broadcaster, mostly on agricultural topics for BBC home and overseas services.
He became a lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education in the University of Dar Es Salaam where he helped organise what was then the world's largest mass adult education project. He went on to work for various government and non-government agencies on projects promoting health and agriculture in five African countries, including Uganda during the time of Idi Amin. Hugh's last major posting was to Thailand where he initiated the 'group learning' method of education for rural dwellers.
Hugh died in August 2001, leaving five children, twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Books
Early to Rise, 1st edition, Faber, 1967 - 3rd paperback edition, Old Pond, 2001
A Good Living, 1st edition, Old Pond 2000