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Douglas, Stephen Arnold (1813–1861)| US politician. He served in the US House of Representatives 1843–47 and as US senator for Illinois 1847–61. An active Democrat, he urged a compromise on slavery, and debated Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Senate race, winning that election. After losing the 1860 presidential race to Lincoln, Douglas pledged his loyal support to the latter's administration 1861–65. |
| Born in Brandon, Vermont, Douglas moved west, settling in Illinois, where he qualified as a barrister 1834. He served in the Illinois state legislature 1836 and as a judge of the state supreme court 1841. He became Illinois secretary of state 1840. He acquired the nickname ‘Little Giant’ for his support of westward expansion. |
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