About William Gordon
Lived 1705 – 1769 (aged 63–64). William Gordon was an English and British naval officer.
Rear-Admiral William Gordon (1705 – 17 April 1769) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, The Nore from 1762 to 1765.
Naval career Promoted to captain, Gordon became commanding officer of the 24-gun , and working with Lord George Graham commanding the 24-gun and the armed vessel Ursula under Lieutenant Fergusson, he came across three large privateers from Dunkirk, sailing in company with their prizes on 2 July 1745. They had taken seven prizes, and were taking them into Dunkirk. The British force attacked them early in the morning of 3 July 1745. After a fierce fight lasting until 4am, four of the prizes surrendered to the Sheerness and the Ursula captured the remaining three prizes.
Gordon served at the Battle of Louisbourg in June 1758 and at the Capture of Quebec in September 1759 during the Seven Years' War. He went on to be commanding officer of the second-rate HMS Blenheim in July 1761. Appointed a commodore, he became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in April 1762. He was promoted to rear-admiral of the white and is buried at St Mary's Kirkyard in Banff.
Personal life Carmelite House, at 28 Low Street in Banff, was built in 1753 for Gordon.
Gallery
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in William Gordon's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Gordon's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Gordon?
British Royal Navy officer
When was William Gordon born?
William Gordon was born in 1705 in Elgin.
When did William Gordon die?
William Gordon died on 17 April 1769 in Banff.
What was William Gordon's occupation?
William Gordon was a naval officer.
What nationality was William Gordon?
William Gordon was English and British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Gordon (Royal Navy officer, born 1705)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Gordon. https://biography.guide/william-gordon-naval-officer/
MLA: "William Gordon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-gordon-naval-officer/.
Chicago: "William Gordon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-gordon-naval-officer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:07 UTC