Background
He was born 5 May 1786 at Old Crawfordto, Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, where his father was parochial schoolmaster. Aged fifteen, he was appointed parish teacher, his father having died some years before.
He was born 5 May 1786 at Old Crawfordto, Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, where his father was parochial schoolmaster. Aged fifteen, he was appointed parish teacher, his father having died some years before.
University of Edinburgh. University of Aberdeen.
He was the inventor of a self-registering hygrometer. Gordon decided to enter the ministry, and, after studying for some time at Edinburgh University, migrated in 1809 to Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity in November 1823. After holding several tutorships, and acting for a time as master in the Perth Academy, he was licensed by the presbytery of Perth on 27 July 1814, and was ordained to Kinfauns, 12 September 1816.
In February 1821 he was promoted to Saint Cuthbert"s Chapel of Ease, on Buccleuch Street in Edinburgh, and in January 1824 to the Hope Park Chapel of Ease, which was built for him.
In September 1825 he moved to the New North Church, collegiate charge, and in 1830 to the High Church. From 1836 till 28 November 1843 he was collector of the Ministers" Widows" Fund.
In the 1830s he is listed as living at 27 Lauriston in the Tollcross area of the city. When the conflict which led to the disruption of the Scottish church began, Gordon sided with the non-intrusionists, and was one of the committee appointed in 1839 to consider the case of the seven suspended ministers of Strathbogie.
And during the same year he appeared in the court of session to support the presbytery of Dunkeld, then threatened with censure for disregarding the interdict in the Lathendy case.
Gordon presided at the public meeting in Saint Cuthbert"s Church, 25 August 1841, and delivered an address. He was one of the deputation which waited on Sir Robert Peel in the following month to state the case for the church. At the general assembly in 1842 Gordon seconded the adoption of the claim of right moved by Thomas Chalmers.
During the convocation held in Roxburgh Church in the following November, Gordon presided, and delivered a speech, which has been described as the best apology for the Free Church movement.
On the disruption in May 1843, he left the established church, together with almost the whole of his congregation. From this time he was minister of the Free High Church till his death, after a short illness, in Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, on 21 October 1853.
5th United Kingdom Parliament. 6th United Kingdom Parliament. 7th United Kingdom Parliament.
8th United Kingdom Parliament.
9th United Kingdom Parliament. 10th United Kingdom Parliament.
11th United Kingdom Parliament. 12th United Kingdom Parliament.
13th United Kingdom Parliament.
