MACDONALD, David (Dorje). Darjeeling 1870/73? — Darjeeling 6.7.1962. British Trade Agent in Tibet. Son of a Scottish father, a planter, and Sikkimese (Lepcha) mother. The father left when he was six and he was educated by his mother as a Buddhist, but later took Christianity. Worked in Bengal vaccination service. He was Waddell’s Assistant in Lhasa in 1904, remained long time in Gyantse, fluent in high official language, acquainted with Dalai and Panchen Lamas. Later in living in Kalimpong keeping a hotel (visited by several Tibetologists). Married Alice Curtis (daughter of British father and Sherpa mother), nine children.
Publications: The Land of The Lama: a description of a country of contrasts & of its cheerful, happy-go-lucky people of hardy nature & curious customs, their religion, ways of living, trade & social life. 283 p. L. 1929, new ed. as The Cultural Heritage of Tibet. 1963.
– With L. A. Waddell: “Tibetan Tales” Folklore 42, 1931, 178-192, 294-315, 447-464.
– Twenty Years in Tibet. 318 p. 35 pl. L. 1932.
– Touring in Sikkim and Tibet. 126 p. Calcutta 1943.
– Tibet. 32 p. L. 1945.
Sources: A few lines in Wikipedia (long article in French version).
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