British interventionist agent in Afghanistan during the First Anglo-Afghan War (Anglo-Afghan Wars) (1839–42). He was created a baronet in 1840.

Macnaghten went to India in 1809, where he served as an administrator and a diplomat in Madras and Bengal, acquired a knowledge of Hindu and Muslim law, and became an expert in Oriental languages. Made an adviser to India's governor-general, Lord Auckland, in 1837, he advocated British intervention to counteract Russian influence in neighbouring Afghanistan, which led to the First Anglo-Afghan War. As political agent with the British invasion force in Kābul, he tried (unsuccessfully) to replace Afghan ruler Dōst Moḥammad Khān with his pro-British rival, Shāh Shojāʿ. Suspected of treachery by the Afghans, Macnaghten was captured and slain by them while he was trying to arrange the withdrawal of British forces in 1841.