Vineyard Haven, Mass., April 25 – Robert S. Douglas, the founder of the Black Dog Tavern and the man behind one of America’s most recognizable lifestyle logos, died on Wednesday at his home on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 93.
His son, Jamie Douglas, confirmed the cause was prostate cancer.
Douglas, a longtime resident of the Massachusetts island, was known for turning a local tavern into an internationally recognized brand. The Black Dog Tavern, which opened on New Year’s Eve in 1971, later became the foundation of a popular apparel company featuring the silhouette of his beloved Labrador-boxer mix, named Black Dog.
The logo, drawn by artist Stephanie Phelan in 1976, became synonymous with coastal summers and was widely adopted by visitors to Martha’s Vineyard. The dog’s name was inspired by a pirate character in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island.
Douglas moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1960, after spending many childhood summers there. He embraced the island’s maritime culture and initially focused on shipbuilding, designing the topsail schooner Shenandoah, which remains moored at Vineyard Haven Harbor.
Seeking to create a reliable, year-round place for locals and visitors alike, Douglas shifted his focus to hospitality. The tavern quickly became a staple of the island, known for its New England chowder and welcoming atmosphere.
Douglas is remembered not only for his contributions to the island’s tourism and economy, but also for transforming a simple island tavern logo into a globally recognized symbol of summer and seaside living.
