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Donald Maclean

(1913-1983), Soviet spy

Sitter 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.

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Donald Maclean

by Ramsey & Muspratt
bromide print, 1930s
NPG P363(16)

Donald Maclean; Ian Lockarbie Maclean; Gwendolen Margaret (née Devitt), Lady MacLean; Andrew Ewen Maclean

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

Related People

Sir Donald Maclean (father)
Gwendolen Margaret (née Devitt), Lady MacLean (mother)

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Donald Maclean