Douglas, Stephen A. (1813-1861)

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Democratic Party

Autobiographical Notes upon Twenty Years at Hull-House: A War Time Childhood, April 1910

Social Justice through National Action, February 12, 1914

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Birth Date

1813-04-23

Death Date

1861-06-03

Birthplace

Brandon, VT

Biographical Text

Stephen A. Douglas was an Illinois lawyer and Democratic politician. Douglas was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1843, and in 1846 was appointed to the Senate. He ran for president in 1860, but lost to Abraham Lincoln. Douglas was best-known for his support of popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery and for his debates with Lincoln on the subject.

Douglas married Martha Martin in 1847 and they had two sons. She died in childbirth in 1853. He then married Adele Cutts in 1856, but none of their children survived infancy. He died in 1861 of typhoid fever.