Donald Maclean
(1913-1983), Soviet spySitter in 3 portraits
British diplomat and Soviet spy. The son of a cabinet minister, Maclean met Kim Philby, Anthony Blunt and Guy Burgess at Cambridge University, where he studied modern languages at Trinity Hall (1931-34). It was during his time at Cambridge that Maclean was recruited by the Soviet secret service (NKVD). Joining the Foreign Office in 1935, and rising to direct the American Desk, he began to pass information to the Soviet Union. Maclean's most significant action was to pass on details regarding the atom bomb. In 1951, with Burgess he defected to Moscow, where he gained a doctorate and taught international relations.
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 1920
NPG x83711
Donald Maclean; Sir (John) Nicholas Henderson; Sir John Balfour; Sir (William) Denis Allen
by Reuben Saidman
bromide print, 1947
NPG x35259
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.