Born in Brandon, Vermont. Trained as a cabinetmaker. Taught school. Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1834. Practiced law in Jacksonville, Illinois. Elected to the state house of representatives 1836 to 1836. Register of land office in Springfield, Illinois. Appointed Secretary of State in Illinois in 1840. Married Martha Denny Martin April 7, 1847. Married Adele Cutts, great niece of Dolly Madison, ca. 1856.

Elected to the House of Representatives serving March 4, 1843, to March 3, 1847. Elected to the Senate serving March 4, 1847, until his death in 1861. He died in Chicago.

Douglas was a candidate for President but failed to get the nomination in 1852, 1856, and 1860.

Douglas appears on paper money:

$10,000 Currency Certificate of Deposit, 1872 and 1875

$2 Bank of Ottawa, Illinois

$5 State bank of Illinois, Shawneetown, Illinois

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; EAB; NCAB 2; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H