Gordon was the eldest surviving son of John Gordon, titular 8th Viscount of Kenmure, second son of William Gordon, 6th Viscount of Kenmure, who had been attainted for his role in the Jacobite Rising of 1715, with his titles forfeited.
His maternal uncle was Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose.
[1] In 1781 he was returned to Parliament for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, a seat he held until the following year.
Robert Burns and his friend John Syme stayed with Gordon and his wife at Kenmure Castle in July 1793 while on their tour of Galloway.
Lord Kenmure died childless in September 1840, in his 91st year, and was succeeded in the viscountcy by his nephew, Adam.