R. J. Macdonald

Reginald James Macdonald (14 April 1879–17 December 1954), who signed his work as R. J. Macdonald, was a Scottish illustrator and cartoonist best known for his work in the boys' school stories in The Gem written by Charles Hamilton writing as Martin Clifford.

After World War II from 1947 to his death in 1954 he provided colour and black and white illustrations for the Billy Bunter novels by the same author.

[2] On 9 October 1914 he enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving during World War I[3] until he was discharged in June 1916[4] having reached the rank of Lieutenant.

[5] From 1916 to 1939 he produced numerous black and white illustrations for the boys' school stories in The Gem written by Charles Hamilton writing as Martin Clifford.

[1] An article about Hamilton in the Picture Post in May 1946[1] that featured Macdonald and his artwork came to the notice of publisher Charles Skilton, who offered a contract to Hamilton for a hardback series of stories about Greyfriars School, the first volume of which, Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School, was published in September 1947.