Macdonald Hastings

Douglas Edward Macdonald Hastings (6 October 1909 – 4 October 1982), known as Macdonald Hastings or Mac Hastings, was an English journalist, author and war correspondent. He wrote for Lilliput magazine under the pseudonym Lemuel Gulliver.

Early life and education Hastings was born on 6 October 1909 in Camberwell, London, the son of Wilhelmina Harriet (née White) and Basil Macdonald Hastings, a journalist and playwright. They had one daughter, Harriet, who became founder and managing director of Biscuiteers.

Macdonald Hastings described himself as a "lapsed" Catholic but added that "aintly men and women in my family outnumber the sinners." He recalled that his great grandfather had taught in the Jesuit foundation at Georgetown, Virginia. Two brothers of his great great maternal grandmother were also Jesuits in the United States. His favourite uncle, Major Lewis Hastings, MC, was there, too, and also contributed to the other family tradition as a famous BBC military commentator in World War II.

He died at his home in Old Basing near Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1982.

Selected publications Books