Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland, was an administrator in India, politician, and author. He served as Secretary of State for India from 1935 to 1937 and Secretary of State for India and Burma from 1937 to 1940. He was styled Lord Dundas until 1892 and Earl of Ronaldshay between 1892 and 1929.

Desmond Murree Fitzgerald Hoysted was born at Murree in the Panjab, his father, who later became Surgeon-General, Madras Presidency, Indian Army, being then stationed in India. Educated at Kugby School and the Royal Military Academy, he was appointed to the Royal Engineers, and promoted in 1894 Lieutenant in the 26th Field Company, R.E. He served in the Alexandria Garrison of the British Army of Occupation in Egypt, and it was during this long service in Egypt that he acquired a taste for Oriental subjects. In 1930, retiring form the army, he took up the post of Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, which he held for ten years until 1940.