Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, was a Scottish nobleman born in 1771. He is best known for his efforts in establishing the Selkirk Settlement in present-day Manitoba, Canada during the early 19th century. His vision was to create a community for displaced Scottish Highlanders and other settlers, providing them with land and resources to build a new life. Douglas was also a social reformer who advocated for the rights of settlers and Indigenous peoples. He aimed to promote agriculture and sustainable development in the region. His legacy includes the founding of Dauphin, a town that still reflects his influence on the area's settlement patterns.