David Douglas, 12th Marquess of Queensberry facts for kids

David Harrington Angus Douglas, 12th Marquess of Queensberry (born 19 December 1929) is a British nobleman and a talented designer of pottery. A marquess is a high-ranking title in the British nobility.

He is the oldest son of Francis Douglas, 11th Marquess of Queensberry and his second wife, the artist Cathleen Sabine Mann. His grandparents on his mother's side were also artists. He became the Marquess of Queensberry in 1954 after his father passed away.

Early Life and Education

David Douglas was born in London, England. He went to school at Ashbury College in Ottawa, Canada, and later attended the famous Eton College in the United Kingdom.

A Career in Design

This 'Country Garden' tableware was made by Midwinter. The shapes were designed by the Marquess of Queensberry.

After serving in the Royal Horse Guards, a part of the British Army, David Douglas began a career in the pottery industry in the 1950s. He had a great passion for ceramics, which are objects made from clay, like plates and bowls.

His skill and knowledge led him to become a Professor of Ceramics at the Royal College of Art in London, where he taught from 1959 to 1983. He has been recognized for his work with many honors. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers and even received its highest award, the Minerva Medal.

Working in the Government

A Seat in the House of Lords

When he became the Marquess of Queensberry in 1954, he did not automatically get a seat in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is one of the two parts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. At the time, his Scottish title didn't grant him a seat.

However, the rules changed with the Peerage Act 1963. This new law allowed all Scottish nobles, including him, to sit in the House of Lords. He lost this right in 1999 when the House of Lords Act 1999 greatly reduced the number of nobles who could be members.

Supporting Equal Rights

While he was a member of the House of Lords, the Marquess of Queensberry spoke up to support new laws that gave more rights to people. He wanted to show that his family's views had become more modern and accepting.

This was important to him because his great-grandfather, the 9th Marquess, was known for his harsh actions against the famous writer Oscar Wilde in 1895. The 12th Marquess said he was happy to connect the Queensberry name with progress and fairness.

Personal Life

The Marquess of Queensberry has been married three times and is the father of eight children.

His first marriage was to Ann Jones in 1956, and they had two daughters. His second marriage was to Alexandra Sich in 1969, and they had three sons and one daughter. His third marriage was to Hsueh-Chun Liao in 2000, and they had one daughter.

His oldest son, Sholto Francis Guy Douglas, is set to inherit the title of Marquess of Queensberry in the future.