W. Douglas Gordon

William Douglas Gordon (April 27, 1876 – May 4, 1944) was an American newspaper editor, critic, and attorney. He was editor of The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch in Virginia for 22 years. He was also a critic and editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Early life Gordon was born in Richmond, Virginia. In his youth, he was an avid horseman.

He attended McGuire's University School in Richmond, graduating in 1894.

Career On April 2, 1900, Gordon formed the law firm of Cannon and Gordon with James E. Cannon; they stayed together for eleven years. In August 1903, Gordon served as acting city attorney for Norfolk while city attorney Henry R. Pollard was on vacation. He also served as secretary of the Virginia Bar Association. Gordon was once suggested for a position as a Juvenile Court judge but declined the nomination.

Gordon served on the Richmond Board of Police Commissions and became police commissioner in 1907. In 1915, Gordon received "a clean bill of health" in an investigation into claims of corruption of both Commissioner Gordon and other members of the board. The lead investigator concluded, "But I know this to be a fact—there is not a scratch of the pen against Mr. Gordon's record as a member of the Board of Police Commissioners…Mr. Gordon's record…is above suspicion."

He was also secretary of the State Fair of Virginia for seven years and the treasurer and secretary of the Master Builder's Association of Richmond. At the time of his death one newspaper noted, "Broad interests engender broad thinking, and his editorial columns showed the result of it." In addition, "His inclusive mind possessed an unusual acumen for analysis of a situation, for finding whatever factor was the disturbing one and displaying it to the public so that it could be easily discerned. Again, his comments were peculiarly notable for the absence of acid and the friendly appreciation of all sides of the question. He could call attention to a wrong, an error, without provoking enmity." He was also a member of the committee that organized a University of Virginia alumni reunion in Richmond in 1903. In 1906 and 1907, he served on the board of governors of the Wednesday Club which coordinated and hosted the week-long Richmond Music Festival. He was a baritone soloist, performing at churches, synagogues, fund raisers, and for civic and cultural organizations. He was also a guest conductor of the men's chorus at St. Paul's Church in Richmond.

He belonged to Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church and was a member of the Wednesday Club, the Norfolk Rotary Club, the Richmond German Club, the Richmond Association of Alumni of the University of Virginia, and The Commonwealth Club, serving on the board of governors of the latter. Nine days later, he died at Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia at the age of 67. The service was officiated by Rev. Dr. Taylor Willis of Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Rev. Sparks W. Melton of the Freeman Street Baptist Church, and Rev. L. D. Medoza of the Ohef Sholom Temple. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond with a brief service that was attended by Governor Colgate Darden and John Stewart Bryan