James Douglas, 14th Earl Of Morton

James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton, KT, FRS, was born in 1702 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of George Douglas, 13th Earl of Morton, and his second wife, Frances Adderley. Douglas pursued higher education at King's College, Cambridge, and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1722.

In 1746, Douglas traveled to France, during which time he was detained and imprisoned in the Bastille, likely due to political reasons associated with Jacobitism. Throughout his life, he maintained a stance of opposition to certain actions of the British government.

Douglas was a prominent figure in scientific circles, particularly in the fields of philosophy and astronomy. He served as the president of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh from its inception in 1737 until his death in 1768. On March 24, 1764, he was elected president of the Royal Society, a position he held until his death.

He was recognized as a patron of science and contributed to the advancement of astronomical studies. His influence extended to geographic exploration; notably, Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia, was named after him by Lieutenant James Cook. The spelling “Moreton” reflects an error in Cook’s published account of his voyage aboard HMS Endeavour. Douglas played a significant role in supporting Cook’s voyage financially, providing a grant of £4,000 to fund the expedition.

In relation to the indigenous populations of the regions explored, Douglas provided instructions to Cook, emphasizing the importance of respecting the native peoples and their lands. He cautioned against violence and asserted the fundamental human rights of indigenous peoples, stating that their lands could not be rightfully occupied or settled without their voluntary consent. He warned against conquest and emphasized the moral obligation to respect their humanity.

Douglas was married twice. His first marriage was to Agatha Halyburton, daughter of James Halyburton of Pitcur, Forfarshire. They had three children: two sons who died in childhood and three daughters. His second marriage, on July 31, 1755, took place at St James's Church in Piccadilly. He married Bridget, daughter of Sir John Heathcote, Baronet, of Normanton. With Bridget, he had a son named John, born on July 4, 1756, and a daughter named Bridget, born on May 3, 1758. Bridget Heathcote outlived Douglas by 37 years, passing away after 1805.

James Douglas died on October 12, 1768. His legacy includes his contributions to science, exploration, and the promotion of respectful relations with indigenous populations. His son, Sholto Douglas, succeeded him as the 15th Earl of Morton.