He was the grandson of William Hawes M.D., and the brother of Benjamin Hawes; his parents were Benjamin Hawes (1770-1861), in business as a soap-boiler and a philanthropist, and Ann Feltham, sister of John Feltham. In 1827 he climbed Mont Blanc with Charles Fellows (address given as 26 Russell Square). With guides, they opened up what became known as the Corridor Route to the summit; the way via the Corridor and Mur de la Côte was standard for the next 30 years. An account of the ascent was published in 1828, edited by Benjamin Hawes, the younger.