Harold William McCauley (July 11, 1913 — December 16, 1977) was an illustrator of pulp magazines in the science fiction field.

Harold W. McCauley
Harold W. McCauley c.1952
BornJuly 11, 1913
Chicago, IL, United States
DiedDecember 16, 1977(1977-12-16) (aged 64)
Melbourne, FL, United States
Resting placeFountainhead Memorial Park
Known for"Mac Girls"; science fiction, pulp magazine artist
Spouse
Grace Lorraine Lindeman
(m. 1953)

Career

edit

Harold William McCauley[1] was born July 11, 1913.[2]

McCauley worked for most of his life in Chicago, Illinois, where he was a frequent contributor to pulp magazines.[3] His work includes a sensational cover for Hotrod Sinners (1962), which was authored by Robert Silverberg under the pseudonym "Don Elliot".[4]

His most notable work, however, appeared in science fiction magazines.[5] His portrayals of beautiful women in low-cut fashion posed dramatically while being menaced became known as "Mac girls".[6]

One his more notable works was the cover of Amazing Stories magazine, July 1943. Editor Raymond A. Palmer was the model for the evil scientist, and Palmer's secretary posed as the futuristic woman holding a gun.[6] In the early 1960s, writer William Hamling turned to publishing, and established Nightstand Books. Nightstand was a pioneer in gay and lesbian erotica, and much of its early work had a science fiction tone. McCauley did almost all the covers for Nightstand's books, quitting only when McCauley moved to Florida.[7] McCauley also did illustration work for Hamling's Rogue, a sophisticated men's pornographic magazine that was a direct competitor to Playboy.[7]

He also worked throughout the 1950s in advertising, creating illustrations for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Orange Kist, and Schlitz Beer.

McCauley and his wife, Grace, had three children: Gary, Kim, and Erin.[2] He died on December 16, 1977, in Melbourne, Florida.[2]

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Saunders, David (2009). "Harold McCauley (07/06/1913-12/16/1977)". Pulpartists.com. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Death Notices". Chicago Tribune. December 24, 1977. p. Section 2, page 9.
  3. ^ "Hall of Fame 2000". Illustrators: Annual of American Illustration. Volume 42. New York: Hastings House. January 2001. p. 37. ISBN 9782880465926.
  4. ^ Harrison, John (2017). "Playing Chicken: 1950s Hot Rod Pulps". In McIntyre, Iain; Nette, Andrew; Doyle, Peter (eds.). Girl Gangs, Biker Boys, and Real Cool Cats: Pulp Fiction and Youth Culture, 1950 to 1980. Oakland, Calif.: PM Press. p. 58. ISBN 9781629634388.
  5. ^ di Fate, Vincent (1997). Infinite Worlds. New York: The Wonderland Press. p. 218. ISBN 0670872520.
  6. ^ a b Nadis 2013, p. 71.
  7. ^ a b Nadis 2013, p. 86.

Bibliography

edit
edit