John Macdonald

Dr. John Macdonald (24 December 1861 – 29 August 1938) was a Scottish sportsman who represented Scotland at both football and cricket, the first Scotsman to represent his country at both sports. He was also a qualified medical doctor.

Early life Macdonald was born in Inverness on 24 December 1861, the eldest of eight children. He also played for Scotland in an exhibition game against a group of American tourists, the Gentlemen of Philadelphia, in June 1884. In doing so he became the first Scotsman to represent his country at both cricket and football; it would be another 50 years before another sportsman (Scot Symon) represented Scotland at both sports.

Later life and death Macdonald returned to Inverness to set up a medical practice, and he eventually became Chief Medical Officer for both Inverness Burgh and Inverness County Council. He was married with five children. He continued his involvement in both cricket and football - captaining local team Northern Counties and representing a North of Scotland XI in the former, and becoming a Patron of the Highland League in 1932 in the latter. Macdonald died in Edinburgh on 29 August 1938, at the age of 76.