Lord Adam Gordon (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Adam Gordon
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_-_Lord_Adam_Gordon_(c.1726%E2%80%931801),_General,_Commander_of_Forces_in_Scotland_(1782%E2%80%931798)_-_PG_192_-_National_Galleries_of_Scotland.jpg)
Gordon in 1799, by Henri-Pierre Danloux
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| Born | c. 1726 |
| Died | 13 August 1801 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Commander-in-Chief, Scotland |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War |
Lord Adam Gordon (born around 1726 – died 13 August 1801) was a Scottish soldier. He had a long career in the army and became a high-ranking general. He was the younger son of Alexander Gordon, 2nd Duke of Gordon.
Contents
Early Life and Army Start
Lord Adam Gordon began his army career in 1741. He joined the 2nd Dragoons as an ensign. An ensign was a very junior officer.
He also went to Eton College, a famous school, from 1742 to 1743. After that, he quickly moved up the ranks. In 1743, he became a lieutenant, and by 1746, he was a captain.
Serving in the Seven Years' War
Lord Adam Gordon became a lieutenant-colonel in the Scots Guards in 1756. He also served in the British Parliament for Aberdeenshire.
In 1758, he took part in a military attack on Cherbourg, France. He showed great bravery during the Battle of St. Cast. He led a special group of soldiers called grenadiers.
Travels and Politics
After the 1761 election, Lord Adam Gordon continued to support the government. In 1763, he became a colonel of the 66th Regiment of Foot. The next year, he traveled to the West Indies, the American colonies, and Canada. He was looking for land to buy.
He returned to England in 1765. In 1767, he married Jean, the Dowager Duchess of Atholl. He then stopped his plans to buy land in America.
Later Military and Political Roles
Lord Adam Gordon left Parliament in 1768 but returned in 1774. By 1772, he had been promoted to major-general.
In 1775, he became colonel of the 26th Regiment of Foot. However, he did not lead troops during the American Revolution. He strongly supported the government at the time.
He was made Governor of Tynemouth in 1778. In 1782, he became colonel of The Royal Scots. He was unhappy with the peace treaty that ended the American Revolution. He supported the new government in 1783.
Commander in Scotland
Lord Adam Gordon left Parliament for good in 1788. In 1789, he was given an important job. He became the Commander-in-Chief, Scotland. This meant he was in charge of all the army forces in Scotland.
He was promoted to general in 1793. In 1796, he became the governor of Edinburgh Castle. He stopped being Commander-in-Chief in 1798. Lord Adam Gordon then retired to his home in Kincardineshire. He passed away there in 1801.
