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William Douglas

1688 – 1748

Scottish politician, died 1748

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About William Douglas

Lived 1688 – 1748 (aged 59–60). William Douglas was a politician.

William Douglas ( – January 1748), 14th of Cavers was a Scottish politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1715 and 1747.

Douglas was the eldest son of Archibald Douglas of Cavers and his wife Anna Scott, daughter of Francis Scott of Gorrenberry.

Douglas was returned at the 1715 British general election, as Member of Parliament (MP) for Roxburghshire on his father's interest. He voted with the Government in every recorded divisions, including that on Lord Cadogan on 4 June 1717. At the 1722 British general election he moved to Dumfries Burghs and was returned as MP on the Queensberry-Annandale interest. At the 1727 British general election, he left his seat at Dumfries in favour of his father and returned to Roxburghshire. He was appointed Keeper of the Register of Hornings in 1728. He voted against the Hessians in 1730 but was absent from other divisions. He did not stand in 1734 or 1741.

In 1741, Douglas succeeded his father and became hereditary Sheriff of Roxburgh. In 1742 he resigned as hereditary sheriff in favour of his brother Archibald in order to become Member of Parliament again. He was returned as MP for Roxburghshire at a by-election on 18 February 1742. He was a member of a group of Scotch MP's who were known as the Duke of Argyll's gang. He voted with the Opposition in all three divisions on the Hanoverians. He did not stand at the 1747 British general election.

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Important facts

Born
1688
Birth century
Died
1748
Occupation
Positions held
Member of the 5th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 6th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 7th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 9th Parliament of Great Britain
Also known as
William Douglas of Cavers

People in William Douglas's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Douglas's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Douglas?

Scottish politician, died 1748

When was William Douglas born?

William Douglas was born in 1688.

When did William Douglas die?

William Douglas died in 1748.

What was William Douglas's occupation?

William Douglas was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Douglas

· Wikidata: Q17308970

· DBpedia: William Douglas, 14th of Cavers

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Douglas. https://biography.guide/william-douglas-politician-1688-q3fa426b6/

MLA: "William Douglas." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-douglas-politician-1688-q3fa426b6/.

Chicago: "William Douglas." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-douglas-politician-1688-q3fa426b6/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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