Adye Douglas

Sir Adye Douglas (31 May 1815 – 10 April 1906) was an Australian lawyer, politician, and first-class cricketer. Born in Norfolk, England, to a military family of Scottish descent, he migrated to Tasmania in 1839 after training as a lawyer in England. He established a law firm in Launceston, which still operates today, and supported the colony’s development, including the name change from Van Diemen's Land to Tasmania and the Anti-Transportation League.

Douglas played one first-class cricket match for Tasmania against Victoria in 1852, scoring poorly but participating in the sport during the 1849–50 to 1851–52 seasons. His political career began as an alderman of Launceston (1853–1884) and mayor twice (1865–66 and 1880–82). He served in Tasmania's House of Assembly from 1856 but resigned in 1857, later returning to politics and advocating for railways.

Douglas was Premier of Tasmania from 1884 to 1886 and a member of the Legislative Council until 1904. He represented Tasmania at the Federal Convention of Australasia, opposing many of Alfred Deakin's votes despite supporting federation and an Australian republic. He was knighted in 1902 but faced recall from his role as Tasmanian Agent-General in London due to railway-related issues.

Douglas married four times and had several children, including a son, Osborne, who played cricket for Tasmania and died in World War I. His extended family included other cricketers, such as his step-son William Collins and nephew William Douglas. Sir Adye Douglas died on 10 April 1906 at the age of 90 in Hobart.