A O Hume was a civil servant in British India. He retired from the Civil Services from Poona in 1880 and settled in Shimla. In 1883, he sent a letter to the 'Graduates' of the Calcutta University urging them to form an sssociation for material, social and political progress of the country. This initiative bore fruit and an organisation 'Indian National Union' was formed. This organizaion was changed into 'Indian National Congress' in 1885.