Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: R.D. Highet

R.D. Highet was born Raymond Highet Donnell in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on November 30, 1887, according to his World War I draft card. Highet’s Social Security application said his parents were Raymond and Ella.

An 1886 New York, New York city directory listed Highet’s father, Raymond L, Donnell, as a printer who resided in Elizabeth, New Jersey and worked at 32 Liberty. A few years later, Highet’s father was an editor. In 1891 he was at 128 Pulitzer Building , then in 1892 at 114 Nassau. The 1897 directory listed him as a publisher at 123 Liberty.

Highet has not been found in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census. The Yonkers Statesman (New York), December 27, 1918, noted that Highet’s parents had divorced.

The 1910 census recorded Highet, as Raymond Donnell, and his mother in Manhattan, New York City, on Manhattan Avenue. Highet was a jewelry store clerk.

On June 5, 1917, Highet signed his World War I draft card. He was married and resided in Yonkers, New York, at 30 London Street. His occupation was jewelry salesman at Tiffany & Company in New York City. Highet was described as short, medium build with brown eyes and hair.

On November 2, 1918, the New York Herald began promoting Highet’s Bubble Land strip on its pages and in other newspapers.

Evening Telegram 11/9/1918

According to American Newspaper Comics (2012), Highet drew Bubble Land, from November 10, 1918 to April 25, 1920, for the Herald. Highet was profiled in Editor & Publisher, February 1, 1919.

Highet was permitted to change his name as reported in the Yonkers Statesman, December 27, 1918.

County Judge Frank L. Young has granted permission to Raymond Highet Donnell, of Yonkers, to assume the name of Raymond Highet. He is an artist and cartoonist and has been in the habit of signing his cartoons, “Raymond Highet.” His father, from whom his mother obtained a divorce, is in the advertising business, and to avoid confusion as to names he desires to make this change.

In 1920, the census said Highet and his wife Lucie were residents of White Plains, New York at 14 North Broadway. He was a newspaper and advertising artist. City directories show he had moved a couple of times, in 1921 and 1923, before settling at 26 Edgewood from 1924 into the early 1930s.

A passenger list said Highet and his wife sailed from Los Angeles (July 31, 1937) to New York City (August 15, 1937). Their home was in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.

The 1940 census recorded them in Wallingford on Linden Lane. Highet was retired and had completed four years of high school.

Highet signed his World War II draft card on April 27, 1942. His address was Stratford Road in Wallingford. He stood five feet three inches, weighed 135 pounds and had brown eyes and gray hair.

At some point Highet moved to Florida. Highet and his wife were listed in Pompano Beach city directories from 1955 (North River Drive) to 1960 (625 NE 19th Avenue).

Highet passed away January 1969, in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Florida death index at Ancestry.com.

—Alex Jay