James Gordon

Background

Gordon was born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, the younger brother of George N. Gordon.

Career

He translated the Book of Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew into the Erromanga language. Gordon was killed by a native man in 1872. He is usually regarded as a Christian martyr.

Achievements

• A. K. Langridge called him "a man of tremendous energy and force of character." J. Graham Miller suggests that "few missionaries have so soon won the hearts of the heathen as James Gordon." Miller notes, however, that Gordon was a loner, and that his move toward a dispensational view of biblical prophecy "increased his sense of isolation" from his missionary colleagues.