Dr Malcolm Donaldson, the husband of The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, has died aged 75. Affectionately known as 'Dr Gruffalo' by his young patients, he passed away on 22 September.
Dr Donaldson was a paediatric consultant and senior lecturer in child health at the University of Glasgow until his retirement in 2012. He was later appointed honorary senior research fellow at the university's School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing.
He met Julia at Bristol University in 1968, when he was studying medicine and she was studying drama and French. The couple were married for 52 years.
Illustrator Axel Scheffler paid tribute, saying: 'I have known Malcolm for 30 years and always admired his enthusiasm for our books... His true passion was performing with Julia on stage, playing the guitar and acting – especially his legendary suave role of the Fox in The Gruffalo. He will be deeply missed.'
Dr Donaldson received the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology's Outstanding Clinician award in 2015 and the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes James Tanner Medal in 2023. He was also an accomplished actor, singer and guitar-player who accompanied his wife on book tours and performed in stage productions, including earlier this year in The Gruffalo, the Witch and the Warthog.
