Douglas Alexander was born in Limerick, the son of a Quaker family who owned a grocery and ship's chandlery business at the corner of William Street and O'Connell Street. The Goodwin Galleries Limerick and The Victor Waddington Galleries Dublin both exhibited his work on a regular basis. He also exhibited in the RHA and the Dublin Sketching Club in the 1930's. Although for several generations members of the Alexander family were prominent in Limerick in both business and Philanthropic pursuits, Douglas, ended his days in poverty.