GORDON, James (?1758-1822), of Moor Place, Herts., and Knockespock, Aberdeen.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

31 Jan. 1785 - 1790
1790 - 1796
27 Jan. 1808 - 1812

Family and Education

b. ?1758, o.s. of James Brebner (who took name of Gordon 1768), chief justice of the Ceded Islands (1767), by Anne, da. of Judge Lavington of Antigua. educ. Winchester; St. John’s, Camb. 13 Oct. 1775, aged 17; L. Inn 1775, called I780. m. 10 July 1789, Harriet, da. of Samuel Whitbread. suc. fa. 1807.

Offices Held

Biography

Gordon came of a Scottish family with extensive connexions in the West Indies. His father for many years practised as a barrister in Antigua, but in 1768, on succeeding to his uncle James Gordon’s estates in Hertfordshire, Aberdeenshire, and the West Indies, came to England and settled in Hertfordshire.

In 1785 Gordon stood as a Government candidate for the venal and expensive borough of Stockbridge and was returned unopposed. He voted for parliamentary reform, 18 Apr. 1785, and supported Pitt’s Administration. There is no record of his having spoken during this Parliament.

He died 18 Feb. 1822.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes