Hugh Gordon

Hugh Gordon (1794 – 3 April 1854) was a violin maker from Stoneyford, County Antrim, Ireland. It is estimated that he may have made as many as 50 violins. His instruments were labelled on the inside with the date and branded on the back below the button 'Gordon'. Gordon was also an accomplished blacksmith and farmer.

Early life Gordon was born in the townland of Ballymacward, Stoneyford, County Antrim in 1794. Gordon first trained as a blacksmith and farmer and was described as "a mechanical genius...who could make anything". In 2011, BBC Northern Ireland produced a short documentary on Gordon. The documentary featured author Costello and fiddle player Geordie McAdam who examined some of Gordon's surviving instruments from Costello's personal collection.

Costello also wrote a song about the life of Gordon called The Ballad of Hugh Gordon. In November 2022, he released a recording of the song, performed by him, on YouTube.