Malcolm MacDonald: Bringing an End to Empire

Malcolm MacDonald (1901-1981) played a central role in the decolonization of the British Empire. In this first biography of a highly unusual public figure, Clyde Sanger gives a full account of MacDonald's working life, from early successes in Ireland to a crashing failure over Palestine, and his eclectic private life. As colonial secretary MacDonald moved colonial policy from a laissez-faire attitude to a developmental view, creating the first aid program, the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund. His last Cabinet post was as health minister during the London blitz, where he worked with Winston Churchill. Sent to Canada as British high commissioner MacDonald became MacKenzie King's confidant during the conscription crisis, the Gouzenko spy revelations, and the American "occupation" when the Alaska Highway was being built. His greatest work was done during his fourteen years in Asia, most notably in preparing Malaya's different racial groups for independence and mending fences between India and Britain after the Suez invasion of 1956. MacDonald's skill as a negotiator came from a combination of hard work, patience, and a great sense of fun and humanity. Walking on his hands around Nehru, swapping bird-watching tales with de Valera, discussing Chinese ceramics with Marshal Chen Yi, or playing nursery games with Jomo Kenyatta or the Iban head-hunter family who adopted him, he charmed his way to a remarkable series of diplomatic successes.