GORDON (Alexander), an excellent draughtsman, and a good Grecian, who resided many years in Italy, visited most parts of that country, and had also travelled into France, Germany, &c. was secretary to the Society for Encouragement of Learning; and afterwards to the Egyptian Club, composed of gentlemen who had visited Egypt (viz. lord Sandwich, Dr Shaw, Dr Pococke, &c.) He succeeded Dr Stukely as secretary to the Antiquarian Society, which office he resigned in 1741 to Mr Joseph Amer. He
went to Carolina with governor Glen, where, besides a grant of land, he had several offices, such as register of the province, &c.; and died a justice of the peace, leaving a handsome estate to his family. He published, 1. "Itinerarium Septentrionale, or a Journey through most parts of the Counties of Scotland, in two parts, with 66 copperplates, Lond. 1726," folio. 2. "Additions and Corrections, by way of Supplement, to the Itinerarium Septentrionale; containing several Dissertations on, and Descriptions of, Roman Antiquities, discovered in Scotland since publishing the said Itinerary. Together with Observations on other ancient Monuments found in the North of England, never before published. Lond. 1732," folio. 3. "The Lives of Pope Alexander VI. and his son Cæsar Borgia, comprehending the wars in the reign of Charles VIII. and Lewis XII. kings of France; and the chief Transactions and Revolutions in Italy, from the year 1492 to the year 1516. 4. "A complete History of the ancient Amphitheatres, more particularly regarding the Architecture of these Buildings, and in particular that of Verona, by the marquis Scipio Maffei; translated from the Italian, 1730," 8vo. afterwards enlarged in a second edition. 5. "An Essay towards explaining the hieroglyphical figures on the Coffin of the ancient Mummy belonging to Captain William Lethieuller. Lond. 1737," folio, with cuts. 6. "Twenty-five plates of all the Egyptian Mummies, and other Egyptian Antiquities in England," about 1739, folio.