Duncan Black MacDonald

1863–1943 (age 80)

Scholar

Biography

Duncan Black MacDonald, born in 1863, became a pioneering scholar of Arabic and Islamic studies, first at Western institutions and then at Johns Hopkins University. His translation work, archaeological interests, and founding of The Moslem World journal laid foundations for the academic study of the Middle East in America.

He mentored generations of students, championed respectful dialogue between cultures, and ensured that the treasures of the MacDonald Collection remained available for research and teaching. His quiet generosity and dedication to scholarship endured through his death in 1943.

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