Douglas

Capital of the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea; population (2001) 25,300. It is situated in the southeast of the island, and is a holiday resort and terminus of shipping routes to and from Fleetwood, Heysham, and Liverpool. Banking and financial services are important, and the Manx parliament, Tynwald, meets here.

Douglas

Scottish family that can be traced back to the 12th century. The dukes of Hamilton, Buccleuch, and Queensbury, and the earls of Morton, Home, and Wemyss, are members of the Douglas family.

There are records on William of Douglas between 1175 and 1213. His grandson, William of Douglas, ‘the Hardy’ (died 1298), rose against King Edward I of England in 1297 and died in the Tower of London. James of Douglas (1286–1330), ‘Good Sir James’, also known as ‘Black Douglas’, was his son, and bore the title Lord of Douglas; he was a loyal supporter of Robert (I) the Bruce, sharing the command at the Battle of Bannockburn. He died carrying the heart of Bruce to the Holy Land.

Earls of Douglas His son, William Douglas, died fighting the English at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, and William Douglas, 1st Earl (1327–1384), became owner of the estates through his uncle, Hugh, was made earl of Douglas about 1358, and became earl of Mar by his marriage. His son, James, Earl of Douglas and Mar (died 1388), succeeded him and fell fighting against the English at the Battle of Otterburn. As there was no direct heir to the estates, Archibald Douglas (c. 1328–c. 1400), a natural son of Good Sir James, became the 3rd earl. He was succeeded by his son Archibald (c. 1369–1424), who became duke of Touraine and was killed fighting the English, in alliance with the French, at the Battle of Verneuil, in France. His successor was his son Archibald, 5th Earl (c. 1391–1439); his son William was murdered with his brother in Edinburgh Castle in 1440, by order of William Crichton (d.1454), Chancellor of Scotland.

Inheritance of the earls of Angus The estates then passed to James Douglas, their great-uncle, known as the ‘Gross’. His son William, 8th Earl (c. 1425–1452), was murdered by James II in Stirling Castle, and succeeded by his brother James, 9th Earl (1426–1488). He went to war with James to avenge his brother, but had to surrender. His brothers identified themselves with his cause, but were defeated by the Earl of Angus, from another branch of the Douglas family which was coming into prominence. The lands of the Douglas branch were given over to the 4th Earl of Angus, known as the ‘Red Douglas’.

Royal relationships Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus (c. 1449–1514), called ‘Bell-the-Cat’, was succeeded by his grandson, Archibald, 6th Earl of Angus (c. 1489–1557), who married Margaret, sister of Henry VIII, King of England; their daughter, Margaret, was the mother of Lord Darnley, father of James VI. His successors were David, 7th Earl, and Archibald, 8th Earl, the estates then passing to another branch, William Douglas of Glenbervie, 9th Earl.

Hamiltons and Homes In 1633 his grandson, William, 11th Earl (1589–1660), was made marquess of Douglas, and his son became the 3rd Duke of Hamilton by his marriage. James Douglas, 2nd Marquess (c. 1646–1700), and grandson of the 1st Marquess, was succeeded by his son, Archibald, 1st Duke of Douglas (1694–1761), but as he had no heirs the title died with him. About the year 1760 one of the twin sons of Lady Jane Douglas, sister of the Duke, became the heir to the estates in spite of his right having formerly been disputed, and in 1790 became Baron Douglas of Douglas, being raised to the peerage. He was succeeded in turn by his three sons, and when the 4th Baron Dougas died, the earls of Home became the next heirs.

Douglas

Village in South Lanarkshire unitary authority, Scotland, on Douglas Water, 27 km/17 mi southeast of Hamilton; population (2001) 1,700. It lies in a former coalmining area, which is now largely agricultural.

Douglas

Town in Cochise County, southeast Arizona; population (2000) 14,300. It is located 37 km/23 mi southeast of Bisbee and across the border from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. It is the trade centre of a ranching and copper mining area. Among the town's manufactures are gypsum products, furniture, clothing, bricks, and electronic parts. Early settlement developed around a copper smelter in 1900. Gypsum, tungsten, and limestone deposits are found in the vicinity.

Douglas

Town and administrative headquarters of Coffee County, south-central Georgia; population (2000) 10,600. It is situated 120 km/75 mi east of Albany. An agricultural trade centre for the region, it has one of the state's major tobacco markets. Livestock (poultry and hogs) also feature in the economy, along with clothing and mobile home manufacturing. Douglas is home to South Georgia College (1906).