John Gordon was admitted as a sizar at Peterhouse on 8 Feb., 1744/5. S. of John, of Whitworth, Co. Durham. B. 6 Nov., 1724. School, Durham (Mr Dougworth). Matriculated 1745; scholar, 1745. Migrated to Emmanuel, 15 July, 1747. B.A. 1748/9; M.A. 1752; D.D. 1765. Gillingham fellow of Emmanuel, 1751; sub-lecturer there 1751, 1752 and 1753, steward, 1 Mar. 1754; dean and Greek lecturer, 1 Oct. 1754; lecturer and Hebrew lecturer, 1 Oct. 1755. Junior Proctor, 1755. Fellow of Peterhouse, 1759. Ord. deacon (Ely) 24 May, 1752; priest, 25 Dec., 1752. R. of Henstead, Suffolk, 1758-93. Chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln, 1765. Archdeacon of Buckingham, 1766-9. Archdeacon of Lincoln, 1769-93. Prebend of Lincoln, 1769-75; precentor there, 1775-93. F.S.A. Married, 14 Jun., 1762, Anne, dau. of Dr Dighton, of Newmarket [ Suffolk], and widow of Dr Williams, public orator. Died at Lincoln, 5 Jan., 1793, aged 67. (T. A. Walker; G. Mag.) Author: 'A new estimate of manners and principles: being a comparison between ancient and modern times, in the three great articles of knowledge, happiness, and virtue; both with respect to mankind at large, and to the kingdom in particular. (Cambridge: Printed by J. Bentham for W. Thurlbourn and J Woodyer; and sold by A. Millar, R. & J. Dodsley, & J. Beecroft, London, 1760-61); 'Occasional thoughts on the study and character of classical authors, on the course of literature, and the present plan of a learned education: with some incidental comparisons between Homer and Ossian' (London, printed for J. Richardson, 1762); 'An address to the members of the Senate of the University of Cambridge, on the attention due to worth of character from a religious society: with a view to the ensuing election of a high steward: to which is added a letter of Mr. Jos. Mede... Giving account of the ... Duke of Buckingham's election in King Charles the First's time / by a Master of Arts' (Cambridge?, 1764) (an attack on Lord Sandwich's candidature for the High Stewardship; sometimes attributed to John Jebb); 'A sermon preached before the Right Honourable Philip, Earl of Hardwicke, :president, and the governors of Addenbrooke's Hospital, at their first general meeting on Tuesday, July 2, 1767, in Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge. (Cambridge; printed by J. Archdeacon and sold by J. Woodyer and T. & J. Merrill, 1767); 'The causes and consequences of evil speaking against government considered' (Cambridge; printed by J. Archdeacon for J. Woodyer, Cambridge, and sold by J. Beecroft, London, 1771)