Vice-Admiral Lord William Gordon

Portrait

Lord William Gordon (1744–1823), married Hon. Frances Ingram-Shepheard (daughter of Charles Ingram, 9th Viscount of Irvine); previously, in 1768 he had an affair with Lady Sarah Bunbury, and fathered a daughter Louisa Bunbury who was acknowledged by her mother's husband Sir Charles Bunbury. However, Lady Sarah and Lord William ran away together, following which Sir Charles obtained a Parliamentary divorce. Lord William abandoned his lover, and she was persuaded by her family to return to her brother's home (and later made a much better marriage). The affair with Lady Sarah ruined William's social reputation, and also his military and political career.[2] He had an illegitimate son William Conway Gordon (b 1798) who served as ADC to General Sir Peregrine Maitland, his relative by marriage.[3] By his wife Frances (d. 1841), he had a daughter Frances Gordon, who died unmarried.