Donald Maclean

Born in London, England in 1913, the son of Sir Donald Maclean, a noted attorney and Scottish politician. Sir Donald served as a member of Parliament and was knighted in 1917.

Was educated at Gresham and then moved on to Cambridge where he counted within his circle of friends, Anthony Blunt, Guy Burgess and Kim Philby. Was influenced greatly by leftist teachings and believed early on in the cause of communism. Was introduced, while at Cambridge, to a Soviet controller who recruited him into the service of the Soviet Union. Was convinced to disassociate himself from active communist party membership and activity so as not to draw undo attention to himself.

Graduated from Cambridge in 1934 and immediately gained a position in the Foreign Service (despite having acknowledged having had leftist leaning while in school). Through contacts loyal to his father, Maclean moved his way up though the ranks of the Foreign Service, attaining a level where he was privy to classified information. Passed this information to his Soviet handler.

Was assigned to the Foreign Office Central Department, responsible for Germany, Belgium and France and was assigned to an office in Paris in 1938. Met Melinda Marling, the daughter of an American oil executive, while in Paris and the couple married in 1940 but immediately fled the country due to Nazi occupation. After working for the foreign office for nine years, Maclean was appointed the first secretary for the British Embassy in Washington, DC. He also served as the head of chancery on occasion making him privy to even more information as all material delivered to the British ambassador was easily within his reach. After having a child, Melinda moved to the United States, living in New York with her mother. Donald routinely visited New York City on weekends, ostensibly to visit his wife, but also to pass information to his New York based Soviet contact.