Ship-owner and politician born at Grimsby, the son of William Doughty, a tenant dairy farmer, born at Great Grimsby 13 July 1854. Educated at Grimsby Wesleyan Higher School, initially a builder ad carpenter. In his early days he was a Primitive Methodist Primitive Methodismlocal preacher and considered entering its ministry but financial constraints prevented it. By 1906 he had not been associated with the Connexion ‘for some years’ since. He may have become an Anglican but as he was known as the 'Wesleyan Demosthenes of tariff reform', this is another possibility. He was also a Freemason and was knighted in 1904. He became a merchant, ship-owner, a partner in the town-based firm of Hagerup, Doughty & Co Ltd and a director of the Humber Commercial Docks. In 1905 Hagerup & Doughty, The Ice Factory Ltd., and Monarch Steam Trawling Co merged to form the Consolidated Steam Fishing Co Ltd, with ninety-four trawlers. As a Liberal he was a Grimsby alderman and mayor in 1892 and 1893. He was elected to parliament for Great Grimsby in 1895 but resigned his seat in 1898 on joining the Liberal Unionists, over Home Rule. However, it has been claimed his real motive was his business interests. He stood successfully in the ensuing by-election and retained the seat until January 1910 when defeated by the Liberal candidate, but regained the seat in December 1910. He joined the Conservatives when they merged with the Unionists in 1912. He died at Waltham Old Hall, Lincs, on 27 April 1914.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
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