Career
Born in Middlesbrough, England, Douglass entered work at the age of 13, becoming a steel melter. Two years later, he was appointed as a full-time organiser for the union, then rose to become Assistant General Secretary in 1945 and finally General Secretary in 1953, serving until 1967. He was also President of the International Metal Workers" Federation.
Douglass also chaired the British Productivity Council, and served as the President of the Trades Union Congress in 1967.
On retirement, he was given a life peerage.
