Jack Gaughan was an influential American illustrator best known for his prolific work in science fiction and fantasy art, particularly during the mid-20th century. He was renowned for his ability to produce both book and magazine covers as well as thousands of interior illustrations, with a distinctive, fluid style noted for its expressive lines and imaginative detail.

By the mid-1950s, he had launched a full-time career, rapidly becoming a mainstay of genre publishing. He was most closely associated with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, serving as its art editor from 1969 to 1974 and producing much of its artwork and design, in addition to painting covers for other prominent periodicals such as If and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. For Ace Books, Gaughan painted covers for the first (unauthorized) U.S. editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, as well as contributing to works by authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, Frank Herbert, Andre Norton, and Robert A. Heinlein. His spare, sometimes abstract black-and-white interiors dominated the field in the 1960s, and his hand-drawn maps and calligraphy gave a distinctive look to many SF and fantasy titles.

 

Beyond his professional achievements, Gaughan was frequently involved in science fiction fandom, generously contributing artwork to fanzines. In 1967, he achieved the rare feat of winning Hugo Awards for both Best Professional Artist and Best Fan Artist in the same year—a testament to his broad appeal and dedication to the community. The Jack Gaughan Award for best emerging illustrator, established by the New England Science Fiction Association, honors his legacy.