John Gordon (MP)

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John Gordon (c.1655 – 24 August 1730) was a Scottish politician and merchant.

A descendant of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, Gordon was a factor at Campvere, the staple port for Scotland in Friesland, during the 1680s. He continued to do business in Rotterdam until 1702. Gordon served as Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1705 until 1708. A devout Presbyterian, he was the first to sign a loyal address from the council to Queen Anne that year upon the repulse of the Jacobite attempt at landing in the Firth of Forth.

He became the first burgess of the Aberdeen Burghs in 1708, defeating James Scott. He took little part in affairs of state, and served on a few Parliamentary committees of local importance. His performance seems to have been disappointing, and he was dropped from Aberdeen council in 1710 and discouraged from standing for re-election. From 1716 to 1718, he again served as Lord Provost, and took part in efforts to purge episcopalian and Jacobite elements from the University of Aberdeen. He was made an honorary burgess upon his retirement.

[edit] References

• Hayton, David; Eveline Cruickshanks, Stuart Handley (2002). The House of Commons, 1690-1715. Cambridge University Press, 42. 

Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs.

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by (constituency created)	Member of Parliament for Aberdeen Burghs 1708–1710	Succeeded by James Scott