Background
William Gordon was born in village Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
William Gordon was born in village Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
He was the second Bishop of Leeds. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop of Beverley John Briggs in 1856 at an age of 22. He then served as assistant priest in the Diocese of Leeds.
On 28 December 1889, Gordon was appointed as coadjutor Bishop of Leeds and titular Bishop of Arcadiopolis in Asia.
He received his episcopal consecration on 24 February 1890, from Bishop of Liverpool Bernard O"Reilly, with Bishop of Middlesbrough Richard Lacy and Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Thomas William Wilkinson serving as co-consecrators. On 16 June 1890, Gordon was appointed to be the 2nd Bishop of Leeds, where he succeeded Robert Cornthwaite who had died in office.
He served as a bishop for more than 20 years and died on 7 June 1911. Bishop Gordon is buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Leeds.