Douglas Edgar Mitchell (September 8, 1896 – 1988) was a South African politician and a prominent member of the United Party in Natal.

Nicknamed the “Father of Conservatism in Natal”,[1] Mitchell was an influential figure in South African politics, serving as a de facto leader of the Anglo-African community in the province during the post-war era.

Quickly rising through the region's political ranks, in 1939 he would become a Member of the executive committee, overseeing the Financial Affairs department.

A year later, Mitchell would be elected as the Chairman of the United Party in Natal in 1949, a post he would hold until he resigned in 1972.

Representing the United Party's largest regional stronghold, Mitchell became an important figure in South African politics, and championed the anti-republican campaign of the 1960 referendum.