During his tenure, Brookings developed a left-of-center reputation chiefly because Gordon was a supporter of the Great Society and critic of the Vietnam War.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gordon graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1933.

After graduating from Swarthmore College in 1938, he was a Rhodes Scholar (1938–1939) and a Harvard administrative fellow.

During World War II he worked in the Office of Price Administration before serving in the United States Army.

During his time at Brookings, he served on several federal government boards including as Chairman of the Health Insurance Advisory Council (1965–1967), member of the Advisory Council on Social Security (1968–1971), and member of the Federal Pay Board (1971–1972).