Home > Arthur Donaldson

He became a journalist in his native Dundee but later decided to try his hand at the same profession in the United States, to where he emigrated at the age of 21. He did not find work as a journalist and instead found employment in the motor car industry in Detroit. He then attended the Detroit Technical College, to study engineering.

Although he was now beginning to be established in the United States he took a keen interest in the developing political movement for Scottish independence back home. To that end he joined the newly formed National Party of Scotland in 1928, as an overseas member, and Scotland's political and economic plight was never far from his thoughts.

In 1932, Donaldson married Vi Bruce, another expartiate Scot (from Forfar)and set up home in Washington D.C., where he worked for the Chrysler Corporation. In the mid- 1930s, now with a family Donaldson returned to his native Scotland, moving to Ayrshire to work in farming.

Donaldson came into contact with Robert McIntyre, one of the leading members of the SNP and his involvement with the party deepended.

During the war, Donaldson's home was raided by police who suspected him (And a number of other SNP figures) of subversive activities. He was arrested and was conveyed at first to Kilmarnock Prison and thence to Barlinnie Prison in GlasgowFor other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, located on the River Clyde in West Central Scotland. It is also one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, officially known as the City of Glasgow and, like many west of S where he was held for six weeks.

Donaldson's arrest and detainment did not disuade him of the value of his political activities. He remained a member of the SNP throughout the 1940sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s Years: 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 Events and trends Technology First nuclear bomb First cruise missile, the and 1950sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Years: 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Events and trends Technology United States tests the first fusion bomb. when they were particularly weak and much of the focus of nationalist efforts were being invested in the Scottish Covenant of John MacCormickJohn MacDonald MacCormick 1904 1961, lawyer and Scottish Nationalist. He began in politics as a member of the Glasgow University Labour Club, before deciding to form the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association (GUSNA) in 1927. MacCormick was o (who had left the SNP in 1942Events January January 1 World War II: The word " United Nations" is first officially used to describe the Allied pact. January 2 World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces. January 5 Amy Johnson disappears in flight over River Thames estuary ass as he had been unable to persuade the party to adopt a position of supporting devolution rather than independence, a split which Donaldson himself had put down more to personality clash than any of ideology).

After the split of 1942 Donaldson became a leading SNP figure along with McIntyre (who became SNP leader in 19481948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). Events January January 1 Nationalisation of UK railways to form British Railways. Arab militants lay siege to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. First day of the Ital, serving until 1956). Donaldson became SNP leader in 1960, replacing James Halliday, and it was during his term as SNP leader that the party began to grow and impose itself on the Scottish political landscape.

During his term of office the SNP began to perform credibly in elections, winning the 1967 Hamilton by-election, and polling more votes than any other party in the 1968 Scottish local authority elections.

This success did not leave Donaldson without his critics though, and at the 1967 SNP Annual Confenrence he faced a leadership challenge from Douglas Drysdale which he comfortably defeated. In 1969 though he was replaced as SNP leader by Billy Wolfe.