Una Hamilton Wright was the proud torch-bearer of her Uncle Charlie’s literary legacy. He was Charles Hamilton, best known as “Frank Richards”, the hugely prolific creator of Billy Bunter.

It was her life’s ambition to publish an authoritative biography of her uncle. It was 40 years in the writing, but she had problems finding a publisher. Unlike The Autobiography of Frank Richards (“the most unrevealing autobiography of all time” according to Benny Green), this book would lift the lid on the man. It was called The Far Side of Billy Bunter and published in 2006.

Una Mary Hamilton Beatrice Harrison was born in 1923 to Percival and Dolly Harrison (née Hamilton). Her father, Percy Harrison (former musical director of the Theatre Royal, Manchester), was Charles Hamilton’s best friend for more than 50 years. Her mother, known as Dolly, but christened Una, was Hamilton’s sister and looked to him for advice on all matters. With his large earnings, he was always ready to support the Harrison family.

From the outset, Hamilton took over many aspects of his niece’s upbringing. He oversaw the daily walks on Hampstead Heath with her nanny Edith Hood. Miss Hood became housekeeper to Hamilton, yet despite her close ties with the family for 60 years, she was not to be mentioned in the biography of Uncle Charlie.

With his tuition and a glowing reference, Hamilton was instrumental in helping the teenage Una to gain a place at Cheltenham Ladies College. From there she went to London University to read English but was evacuated during the war to St Peter’s Hall, Oxford, to complete her degree.

Her childhood home in the Thanet area of Kent was chosen by Hamilton for the sake of Una’s health. During the Second World War, parcels would arrive weekly containing luxuries for Una (oranges, eggs and so on). On her engagement, in 1955, plenty of advice on married life was forthcoming — all from the bachelor Hamilton.

As a guardian of her uncle’s literary legacy, she came in for some criticism much of it unjust. There was a dispute over an unauthorised biography of Charles Hamilton which she had her lawyers destroy. And there were complaints that she did little to promulgate her uncle’s work. In fact she made sterling efforts in writing articles for hobby journals, and lecturing to interested groups. She was vice-president of The Friars’ Club, a literary circle specialising in Charles Hamilton’s works.

Hamilton Wright’s husband, Brian, died this year. She is survived by her two daughters.

Una Hamilton Wright, biographer of Frank Richards, was born on February 23, 1923. She died on June 16, 2009, aged 86