Son of John Gordon, 8th Viscount (by courtesy) Kenmure, and Frances Mackenzie. Sometime captain in the 17th Regiment of foot and member of parliament for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (1784-1786). 

The family had lost its peerage as a consequence of its part in the Jacobite rebellion in 1716 - John Gordon's brother, father and uncle having thus been Viscounts only by courtesy. In 1824, Gordon managed to get parliament to restore the title to the family, and thus became the actual 7th Viscount, although styled the 10th Viscount by courtesy. He died without issue at an advanced age and was succeeded by his nephew Adam Gordon (1792-?), son of his brother Adam Gordon, and Harriet Davies.1