Who Is Donald Maclean (spy)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Donald Maclean was born on May 25, 1913, and his journey through life makes him a significant figure in the world of espionage. He served as a British diplomat, but his legacy is tainted by his involvement in the notorious Cambridge Five spy ring that leaked sensitive information to the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. Despite being a prominent figure due to his espionage activities, much of Maclean's biography is enveloped in secrecy and speculation.
In 1983, Donald Maclean passed away, leaving behind a reputational legacy that continues to stir discussions among historians and those interested in espionage. As of 2025, he would have reached the age of 112 had he lived.
| Occupation | Spies |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1913 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | Marylebone, London, England |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 6 March, 1983 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Donald Maclean (spy)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Donald Maclean's height and weight remain undocumented, historical records indicate that he was of average build typical of men from his era. His physical presence might have blended into the diplomatic circles he was part of, which often required a polished demeanor and professionalism.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Donald Maclean was born into an influential family, with strong educational ties. His father, Sir Donald Maclean, was a prominent Scottish politician, and his mother, a distinguished socialite of the time. He was married to Melinda Lanning, with whom he had three children. Due to the sensitive nature of his work as a spy, details regarding his relationships, including any girlfriends or external affairs, are scarce. His life was marked by secrecy, a hallmark of espionage, making personal relationships even more enigmatic.
Born in Marylebone, London, Donald Duart Maclean was the son of Sir Donald Maclean and Gwendolen Margaret Devitt. Following the 1918 general election, in which Liberal Party leader H. H. Asquith lost his seat, Maclean's father Sir Donald was chosen as chairman of the rump of the 23 independent Liberal MPs who backed Asquith in the House of Commons.
As the Labour Party had no leader and Sinn Féin did not attend, he became titular Leader of the Opposition. Maclean's parents had houses in London (later in Buckinghamshire) as well as in the Scottish Borders, where his father represented Peebles and Southern Midlothian, but the family lived mostly in and around London.
He grew up in a very political household, in which world affairs were constantly discussed. In 1931 his father entered the Coalition Cabinet as President of the Board of Education.
Net Worth and Salary
Donald Maclean’s net worth at the time of his death in 1983 is challenging to quantify in contemporary figures. However, as a diplomat and spy, his lifestyle would have often been funded through government salaries and allowances typical of high-ranking officials. The complexities of his financial dealings, especially considering his espionage activities, remain largely undisclosed. After the revelations of his spying activities, discussions about property and assets have largely focused on the impact of his actions rather than personal wealth accumulation.
Career, Business and Investments
Maclean's professional life was predominantly within the British diplomatic corps, where he excelled and climbed through the ranks. His work was marked by significant intelligence duties, which later led to his betrayal of Britain’s secrets to the Soviet Union.
His involvement with the Cambridge Five, which included other notable spies like Guy Burgess and Kim Philby, greatly influenced global espionage strategies during the Cold War. Following his defection to the USSR in 1951, Maclean's career took a different direction. He became a celebrated figure among Soviet intelligence but lived in relative obscurity, reflecting on his life as both a diplomat and a spy.
Donald Duart Maclean (25 May 1913 – 6 March 1983) was a British diplomat and Soviet double agent who participated in the Cambridge Five spy ring. After being recruited by a Soviet agent as an undergraduate student, Maclean entered the civil service. In 1938, he was appointed as Third Secretary at the British embassy in Paris.
He served in London and Washington, D.C., achieving promotion to First Secretary. He was subsequently posted to Egypt, and then was appointed head of the American Department in the Foreign Office.
Social Network
Given that Donald Maclean lived during the mid-20th century, social networking was not as prevalent as it is today. However, in analyzing his network, one could note associations with key figures in the realm of espionage, both British and Soviet. He maintained relationships with other members of the Cambridge Five, which further complicated his social interactions, given their covert operations and shared secrets.
On 24 September 1938, Maclean took up a post as Third Secretary at the British embassy in Paris. In the spring of 1939, an Anglo-French attempt was made to include the Soviet Union into the "peace front" that was intended to deter German aggression.
Because of the French involvement in these Moscow negotiations, the telegrams passing between embassies allowed Maclean access to much information.
Maclean kept Moscow informed in regard to relations between Germany and the British Empire, on the one hand, and Britain and France on the other, as the French foreign minister Georges Bonnet worked to end French security commitments in Eastern Europe.
He also kept Moscow informed about the development of Anglo-French plans for intervention in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.
Education
Donald Maclean was educated at prestigious institutions, including Winchester College and later at the University of Cambridge, where he navigated the complexities of political thought and international relations. His education provided him with the tools necessary to excel as a diplomat and later engage in espionage, shaping his experience and choices in both public and covert sectors of society.
Maclean's education began as a boarder at St Ronan's School, Worthing. At the age of 13, he was sent to Gresham's School in Norfolk, where he remained from 1926 until 1931, when he was 18.
At Gresham's, some of his contemporaries were Jack Simon (later Baron Simon, a Law Lord), James Klugmann (1912–1977), Roger Simon (1913–2002), Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) and Alan Lloyd Hodgkin (later a scientist and Nobel Laureate).
