A.G. Macdonell

A.G. MacdonellA.G. MacdonellA.G. Macdonell

A.G. Macdonell

A.G. MacdonellA.G. MacdonellA.G. Macdonell
  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biblography
  • News
  • Media
  • More
    • Home
    • Biography
    • Biblography
    • News
    • Media

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biblography
  • News
  • Media

ABOUT

Archibald Gordon Macdonell was born in 1895 in Poona, India to parents William and Alice Macdonell. The youngest of three children, Macdonell had one older brother and one older sister. His grandfather was the photographer and art collector J.F. White. The family returned to England in 1898 and moved to Enfield, Middlesex before later moving to the family home in Aberdeen. He attended Horris Hill prep school before following his brother to Winchester. 


With a place at Oxford secured, the break out of WW1 changed the course of his life and he decided instead to join the Royal Field Artillery of the 51st Highland Division. In 1918 Macdonell was invalided out with shellshock. 


After peace was declared, Macdonell worked with the Friends' Emergency and War Victims Relief Committee on reconstruction in eastern Euope and famine in Russia.  Following this he worked for the League of Nations Union with Professor Gilbert Murray, a profound influence on his life. 


Around his time, he also met J.C. Squire, another man who was to have a profound influence on his life. He stood, unsuccessfully, twice as a Liberal candidate in 1924 and 1925. 


His writing career began in 1928 with the publication of his first crime novel. However, his career really took off with the publication of England Their England in 1933, which saw him change direction and focus on satire. Several novels followed this, as well as three non-fiction books. Notably, Napoleon and his Marshalls, a book that is still well-regarded by historians today. He was a busy journalist, writing for The Bystander, Observor, and the London Mercury. He also wrote plays, several of these being performed on London and national stages. 


A keen cricketer, Macdonell joined J.C. Squire's team, The Invalids, which formed the inspiration for England, Their England. 


In 1926, he married Mona Mann, the daughter of artist Harrington Mann. They had one daughter, Jenny and divorced in 1927. Archie's second marriage was in 1940 to Rose Paul-Schiff, a Viennese refugee. This second marriage was short lived as he died less than a year later, in January 1941. 


He is buried in Wolvercote Cemetary, Oxford. 


Copyright © 2025 A.G. Macdonell - All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept