GORDON, LORD GEORGE, celebrated in connection with the London Protestant riots of 1780, the third son of the third duke of Gordon,•was b. Sept. 19, 1750. At an early age lie entered the navy, and rose to the rank of lieut., but quitted the service during the American war, in consequence of a dispute with the admiralty relative to promotion. Elected in 1774 M.P. for Luggershall, one of the pocket boroughs dis franchised by the reform bill of 1832, he soon rendered himself conspicuous by his opposition to ministernd the freedom with which he attacked. all parties; but though eccentric, displayed considerable talent in debate, and no deficiency of wit or argument. A bill having in 1778 passed the legislature for the relief of Roman Catholics from certain penalties and disabilities, the Protestant association of Lordon was, among oilier societies, formed for the purpose of procuring its repeal, and in Nov., 1779, Gordon was elected its president. In June, 1780, he headed a vast and excited mob, of about 100,000 persons, which went in procession to the house of commons, to present a petition against the measure, when lie addressed them in a speech calculated to inflame their passions and bigotry. Dreadful riots ensued
in the metropolis, lasting for •several days, in the course of which many Catholic chapels private dwellieg-houses, Newgate prison, and the mansion of the chief-justice, lord Mansfield. were destroyed. Gordon was arrested, and tried for Melt treason; but no evidence being adduced of treasonable design, he was acquitted. His subsequent conduct seemed that of a person of unsound mind. Having, in 1786, refused to come forward as a witness in a court of law, he was excommunicated by the archbishop of Canterbury for contempt. In 1787 lie was convicted, on two official informations, for a pamphlet reflecting on the laws and criminal justice of the country, and for publishing a libel on the queen of France (Marie Antoinette) and the French ambassador in London.,, To evade sentence he retired to Holland, but was sent back to England, and apprehended at Birmingham. Sentenced to imprisonment. he died in Newgate, of fever, Nov. 1, 1793. He had latterly became a proselyte to Judaism.