Jacobite. Son of George, 1st Duke of Gordon (1643 - 1716), whom he succeeded in 1716. Gordon travelled to the continent and became friendly with Cosmo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
A supporter of James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender (1688 - 1766), Gordon joined the Earl of Mar's army and commanded a troop of cavalry. He fought at Sheriffmuir (1715) and was taken prisoner shortly thereafter. He was taken to Edinburgh and was held in the castle for a time, although later released. He lived at Gordon Castle, which was surrendered to the government in 1716, after which Gordon was given a Royal pardon.
His eldest son, the 3rd Duke, remained loyal to the Hanoverian government in the 1745 rising but a younger son fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie.
