GORDON, Alexander Operatic Singer and Antiquary, Mr ¹

   Another name for Alexander was GORDON, Sandy.²

   User ID: D55.

  General Notes:

"He (Alexander Gordon) took the degree of master of arts at Aberdeen University, and seems to have become proficient in classical and modern languages and to have developed a talent for both music and fine art. In later years, however, his friend and scholarly patron Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, second baronet and baron of the exchequer in Scotland, regularly excused Gordon's failings in one way or another by saying that he had done well for one of his background and education; and Clerk (though a distinguished composer himself) further appeared to belittle Gordon's early professional career as a singer by observing that he had been 'bred up in the idleness of a musitian, but his head has now taken a more useful, at least a more diverting turn' towards that of a learned antiquary. Yet Clerk was also fair in his assessment of a career remarkable for its breadth and variety: 'Whatever weaknesses you may discover about him he is one of the most friendly grateful men I ever knew in my life & prodigiously sober & laborious' (Brown, Hobby-horsical Antiquary, 27\endash 8)."

from ODNB article




"From the authenticated copy of Gordon's last Will and Testament, communicated by Professor Daniel Wilson, we learn that Gordon died at Charleston, South Carolina, on or after the 22d of August 1754; and besides notices of his family, and his collections for a posthumous work on Egyptian Antiquities, it proves that among his various accomplishments he had practised for some time as a Portrait painter. He is also sometimes styled 'Singing Sandie,' which implies a knowledge or love of music."

from An Account of Alexander Gordon ^{1 2}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Published: Itinerarium Septentrionale, 1726, London, England. ²

2. Published: The Lives of Pope Alexander VI. and his son Cassar Borgia, 1729, London, England. ²

3. Published: A Complete History of the Antient Amphitheatres, 1730, London, England. ²

4. Published: Lupone, or the Inquisitor. A Comedy, 1731, London, England. ²

5. Acted: Secretary, 1736-1739, Society for the Encouragement of Learning. ²

6. Acted: Secretary, 1736-1741, Society of Antiquaries. ²

7. Published: An Essay towards Explaining the Antient Hieroglyphical Figures, 1737, London, England. ²

8. Published: An Essay towards Explaining the Hieroglyphical Figures, 1737, London, England. ²

9. Acted: Secretary, Before 1741, Edyptian Club. ²

10. Accompanied: Governor Glen, 1741, South Carolina. ²

11. Named as a member: on list of members, 1741-1748, St Andrew's Club of Charleston, South Carolina. ²

12. Probate: will of Alexander Gordon, 1755, South Carolina, USA. ²

Alexander married.