Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macdonald, Duncan George Forbes
MACDONALD, DUNCAN GEORGE FORBES (1823?–1884), agricultural engineer and miscellaneous writer, was the youngest son of John Macdonald (1779–1849) [q. v.], by his second wife, Janet, eldest daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, esq., of Millbank. He early devoted himself to the study and practice of agriculture on his father's extensive glebe, and in 1848 started business on his own account as an agricultural engineer in London and Dingwall. He also practised as a civil engineer, and became conversant with every department of farming. In 1852 he wrote a pamphlet, ‘What the Farmers may do with the Land,’ and in 1858 was presented with a testimonial ‘by a few friends and masonic brethren’ for his services. About this time he visited British Columbia, where he became a member of the government survey staff and one of the commissioners appointed to adjust the boundary line of British North America. On his return he wrote a book on British Columbia, in which he earnestly deprecated emigration thither under the delusion that its soil was rich and fertile; he also delivered lectures on the subject. After the deposition of Napoleon III Macdonald wrote a pamphlet on ‘Napoleon III, the Empress Eugénie, and the Prince Imperial,’ with all of whom he seems to have had some acquaintance. In this he is said to ‘have successfully proved his majesty the foremost statesman and most sagacious monarch of the world.’ The rest of Macdonald's life was devoted to agricultural and similar interests. He became drainage engineer of improvements under the control of the Enclosure Commissioners for England and Wales, engineer-in-chief to the inspector-general of highland destitution, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., J.P., and LL.D. He died on 6 Jan. 1884. There is a portrait of him prefixed to his ‘Farming and Estate Management,’ engraved by Vincent Brooks.
His works are: 1. ‘What the Farmers may do with the Land,’ 1852. 2. ‘British Columbia and Vancouver's Island,’ 1862. 3. ‘A Lecture on British Columbia and Vancouver's Island,’ 1863. 4. ‘Hints on Farming and Estate Management,’ 3rd edit. 1865. 5. ‘Napoleon III, the Empress Eugénie,’ &c., 1871. 6. ‘Cattle, Sheep, and Deer,’ 1875; this work was patronised by almost every sovereign in Europe. 7. ‘The Highland Crofters: twelve Letters inscribed to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone,’ 1878. 8. ‘The Grouse Disease, its Causes and Remedies,’ 1883. He also published several pamphlets on various economic and other questions.
[Works in the British Museum; Times, 9 Jan. 1884; information from the Rev. M. G. Watkins.]