Birthplace:
- Howth, County Dublin, Ireland

Birthdate:
- 22 May 1849

Nationality:
- Irish with Scottish origins

Height:
- 5 feet 8 3/4 inches

Family Background:
- Macdougall's father was William Macdougall, Solicitor, and Clerk of the Works and Seal of the Superior Court of Ireland

At Sandhurst:
- No

Foreign Languages:
- French

Career before Halifax:
- Ensign, 24 July 1869 (purchase)

Postings while in NS Command:
- Halifax, 23 October 1869 to 25 November 1871

Career after Halifax:
- Lieutenant, 28 October 1871
- Captain, 23 January 1881
- served with 78th in Afghan War of 1880

Died:
- 28 October 1890

As can be seen, Macdougall was the son of a distinguished Irish legal family. In addition, an uncle was the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The father, William Macdougall, was said to have been "of Scotch family", whcih probably explains Macdougall's posting to the Scottish 78th Highlanders.