Donaldson was educated at Eton, where he rowed in the eight, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He narrowly missed representing Cambridge in the 1883 boat race, when having been selected stroke of the crew he fell ill and was forbidden to row by the doctors. At Eton, he was co-editor, with M. R. Jamesof the Chronicle, for which they were paid fifteen shillings every two weeks.
Donaldson was educated at Eton, where he rowed in the eight, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He narrowly escaped representing Cambridge in the 1883 boat race when, having been chosen as stroke of the crew, he fell ill and was prohibited from rowing by the doctors. At Eton, he served as co-editor, alongside M. R. James, of the Chronicle, for which they received fifteen shillings every two weeks.