Howard Douglas - Later Career in Europe

Later Career in Europe

On his return to Europe he was employed in various missions, and he published about this time Naval Evolutions, a controversial work dealing with the question of breaking the line (London, 1832). From 1835 to 1840 Douglas, now a GCMG, was Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, where, amongst other reforms, he introduced a new code of laws. In 1837 he became a Lieutenant-General, in 1840 a KCB, in 1841 a civil GCB, and in 1851 a General. From 1842 to 1847 Douglas sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool, where he took a prominent part in debates on military and naval matters and on the corn laws. He was frequently consulted on important military questions. His later works included Observations on the Modern System of Fortification, (London, 1859), and Naval Warfare Under Steam (London, 1858 and 1860). He died in Tunbridge Wells. Sir Howard Douglas was an FRS, one of the founders of the RGS, and an honorary DCL of Oxford University. Shortly before his death he declined the offer of a military GCB.