Born in Poland and educated at Breslau University, Hellmuth lived briefly in England before emigrating to Canada in 1844, where, two years later, he was ordained in the Church of England. Appointed Archdeacon of Huron in 1861, he assisted Bishop Benjamin Cronyn in the establishment of Huron College, and served as its first principal, 1863-66. Succeeding Cronyn as Bishop of Huron in 1871, Hellmuth's foresight and determination led to the founding, in 1878, of this university, then known as the Western University of London. He served as its first chancellor, 1878-1884. After spending some 25 years ministering to spiritual and educational needs in this region, he returned to England in 1884.