Donald Herbert Houghton (2 February 1930 – 2 July 1991) was a British television screenwriter and producer. Born in Paris to Scottish parents, Houghton started writing for radio in 1951 before moving into film and television in 1958. In the 1970s, he was a primary writer for Hammer Films including Dracula A.D. 1972, The Satanic Rites of Dracula, The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires and Shatter. Houghton lived and worked in Australia for a number of years where his credits included The Astronauts (1960). His television work includes Doctor Who for which he wrote the serials Inferno (1970) and The Mind of Evil (1971), the fifth Sapphire & Steel television story (known informally as Dr McDee Must Die) co-written with Anthony Read, Emergency Ward 10, Crossroads, Ace of Wands, New Scotland Yard, The Professionals and at least one episode of C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985). Houghton also created and wrote for the soap opera Take the High Road (1980). He also wrote three novels: Column of Thieves and Blood Brigade and Take the High Road: Summer's Gloaming.
