US orator and Democratic politician
Representative from Illinois 1843-1847
Senator from Illinois 1847-1861
chairman of Senate Committee on Territories 1847-1859
helped promote passage of Compromise of 1850
candidate for Democratic presidential nomination 1852, 1856
drafter and sponsor of Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854 (establishing Kansas and Nebraska territories with popular sovereignty, repealing Missouri Compromise)
engaged Abraham Lincoln in series of debates (Lincoln-Douglas debates) 1858, seeking reelection to Senate
formulated Freeport doctrine 1858 (stating that despite 1857 Dred Scott decision, police pressure and state legislation could effectively bar slavery from territories)
Democratic presidential candidate 1860
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