Jesse Monroe Donaldson (August 17, 1885 – March 25, 1970) was the first United States Postmaster General to have started his career as a letter carrier.

He was the son of merchant and local postmaster Moses Martin Donaldson, and his wife, Amanda Saletha Little.

Donaldson began his postal career in 1908, as the one of three mailmen for the Shelbyville, Illinois, then rose through the ranks of the Department.

He was appointed U.S. Postmaster General by President Harry S. Truman on December 16, 1947, following the resignation of Robert E. Hannegan.

[2] Donaldson died at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 25, 1970.