Alexander George Gordon, 7th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, (31 March 1955 – 12 March 2020), styled Earl of Haddo from 1984 to 2002, was a Scottish peer, businessman, and landowner.
Early life and education
Gordon was born at Quicks Green, Ashampstead, Berkshire, the only son of Alastair Gordon, a botanical artist, and Anne Barry. In 1965, his paternal grandfather, Lord Dudley Gordon (second son of John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair and his wife, Ishbel), succeeded his childless elder brother, George, in the family titles.
He was educated at Cothill House, Abingdon, and at Harrow School, where he played cricket. He played rugby union for London Scottish F.C. in the 1970s.
Career and peerage
Alexander Gordon's father, Alastair, who was the youngest of four sons, did not expect he would ever inherit the titles; however, his two older brothers, the fourth and fifth marquesses, failed to produce heirs, and the third was killed in the Second World War. In 1984, he succeeded as the sixth marquess, at which point Alexander became styled as the Earl of Haddo as heir apparent. They had four children:
- George Ian Alastair Gordon, 8th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (born 4 May 1983). He married Isabelle Coaten.
- Lord Sam Dudley Gordon (born 25 October 1985). Lord Sam is married to Isobel Tatham. They have one son and one daughter:
- Bertie Raiph Dudley Gordon (born 30 August 2016)
- Lara Sophie Bebe Gordon (born 21 September 2018)
- Lady Anna Katherine Gordon (born 2 September 1988). Lady Anna is married to Sarah McChesney (born 1987) in 2017.
- Lord Charles David Gordon (born 8 June 1996)
He died of cancer in 2020 at House of Formartine, on the Haddo House estate.