British author, born at Perth on the 26th of August 1875, the son of the Rev. John Buchan. He was educated at Glasgow University and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he won the Stanhope historical essay prize (1897) and the Newdigate prize for poetry (1898), and graduating first class in literae humaniores (1899). In 1901 he became private secretary to Lord Milner, then High Commissioner for South Africa, and remained with him till 1903. In 1906 he joined the Edinburgh publishing firm of Thomas Nelson & Sons. Even as an undergraduate he had “commenced author” with Sir Quixote (1895), and he followed this with other tales and novels. His African experiences suggested The African Colony (1903), A Lodge in the Wilderness (1906), and Prester John (1910). During the World War he served with the headquarters staff of the British army in France (1916–17), attaining the rank of colonel, and later was Director of Information under the Prime Minister (1917–18), and his History of the War (Nelson) was an admirable piece of work. He wrote too some excellent tales of adventure, notably The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915) and Greenmantle (1916). Later works include The South African Forces in France (1920), and a biography of Francis and Riversdale Grenfell (1920).
