William Hudson

Sir William Hudson (27 April 1896 – 12 September 1978) was a New Zealand-born engineer who headed construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme for hydroelectricity and irrigation in Australia from 1949 to 1967, when he reluctantly retired at 71. The scheme was completed in 1974, under budget and before time.

Early life and family Hudson was born in Nelson, New Zealand, the son of James Hudson and Beatrice Jane Andrew. His maternal grandfather was John Chapman Andrew and his maternal grandmother was Emma Fendall. He was educated at Nelson College from 1908 to 1914, the University of London and the University of Grenoble. He was elected in March 1964 a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was awarded the James Cook Medal of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 1966.

Hudson retired in 1967 and was appointed president of the National Safety Council of Australia, and chairman of the Road Safety Council, New South Wales.