William Douglas (d. 1821)
Encyclopedia
William Douglas of Almorness was an advocate and a British Member of Parliament
in the House of Commons.
Probably born in New York
in about 1784, he was the son of James Douglas of Orchardton and Elizabeth Douglas, daughter of William Douglas of Worcester. He was educated at Edinburgh High School and Trinity College, Cambridge
.
He was called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Alongside his uncle, Sir William Douglas of Castle Douglas, he was a partner in the Galloway Banking Co. (Douglas, Napier, & Co), established in Castle Douglas
in 1806 and which ceased trading in 1821, because of a bad debt.
He was president of the Speculative Society between 1806 and 1809. An active Christian, he represented his parish as Ruling Elder at the Annual Meeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in 1811.
Having previously tried for Kirkcudbright
, but been rejected, he was subsequently elected as member of Parliament for Plympton Erle
from December 1812 to June 1816, during which time he is not known to have spoken, and has just seven recorded votes.
Involved in the design of the Douglas Mausoleum in Kelton, near Castle Douglas, he was interred there following his death on 9 July 1821, alongside other family members. He was unmarried.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in the House of Commons.
Probably born in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in about 1784, he was the son of James Douglas of Orchardton and Elizabeth Douglas, daughter of William Douglas of Worcester. He was educated at Edinburgh High School and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
He was called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Alongside his uncle, Sir William Douglas of Castle Douglas, he was a partner in the Galloway Banking Co. (Douglas, Napier, & Co), established in Castle Douglas
Castle Douglas
Castle Douglas , a town in the south of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, lies in the eastern part of Galloway known as the Stewartry, between the towns of Dalbeattie and Gatehouse of Fleet.-History:...
in 1806 and which ceased trading in 1821, because of a bad debt.
He was president of the Speculative Society between 1806 and 1809. An active Christian, he represented his parish as Ruling Elder at the Annual Meeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
in 1811.
Having previously tried for Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.The town lies south of Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, in the part of Dumfries and Galloway known as the Stewartry, at the mouth of the River Dee, some six miles from the sea...
, but been rejected, he was subsequently elected as member of Parliament for Plympton Erle
Plympton Erle (UK Parliament constituency)
Plympton Erle, also spelt Plympton Earle, was a parliamentary borough in Devon. It elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1295 until 1832, when the borough was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-1295-1640:-1640-1832:...
from December 1812 to June 1816, during which time he is not known to have spoken, and has just seven recorded votes.
Involved in the design of the Douglas Mausoleum in Kelton, near Castle Douglas, he was interred there following his death on 9 July 1821, alongside other family members. He was unmarried.