Sir Howard Douglas

Douglas, Sir Howard

Sir Howard Douglas, soldier, author, colonial administrator (b at Gosport, Eng 23 Jan 1776; d at Tunbridge Wells, Eng 9 Nov 1861). The son of a naval officer, Douglas finished military academy in time to see action in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars in Canada, Spain and Holland. Promoted major-general in 1821, he became lieutenant-governor and commander in chief of New Brunswick, serving from 27 March 1823 to 19 February 1831.

During those preradical years he ruled effectively, becoming the "most popular" of all imperial governors. He oversaw administrative, military and cultural changes in a period of rapid growth. As would be expected of an author and fellow of the Royal Society, his major achievement was in the improvement of King's College (University of New Brunswick), of which he was chancellor. The Douglas Gold Medal is still awarded annually at UNB. Militarily the troubled New Brunswick-Maine border led him to encourage an active local militia, which numbered over 15 000 by 1831. He was less successful in his battles over the civil list and with crown lands commissioner Thomas BAILLIE. Douglas returned to England in 1831 as a strong supporter of the British North American colonies and their preferences in the British marketplace.