René Bull (1872–1942) was an Irish illustrator and photographer. Born in Dublin, he initially pursued engineering studies in Paris. His artistic career began after he received drawing lessons from the French satirist and political cartoonist Caran d'Ache. Bull subsequently returned to Ireland, contributing sketches and political cartoons to various publications, including the Weekly Freeman.
Moving to London in 1892, Bull drew for Illustrated Brits and produced cartoons for Pick-Me-Up from 1893, often in the style of Caran d'Ache. In 1896, he joined Black and White newspaper as a special artist and photographer, covering the Tirah Campaign in India and the Sudan campaign, which included the Battle of Omdurman. He also documented the Boer War in South Africa until 1900, when he was wounded and invalided out.
Settling in England, Bull continued to draw cartoons for magazines such as Bystander and The Sketch, where he created humorous invention cartoons. From 1905, he began illustrating books, including Jean de La Fontaine's Fables, The Arabian Nights (1912), and Andersen's Fairy Tales. During World War I, Bull served as a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, later transferring to the Royal Air Force and achieving the rank of Major. He joined the Air Ministry for technical duties in World War II.
