Charles Gordon

British soldier and administrator. He served in the Crimean War and went to China in the expedition of 1860, taking part in the capture of Beijing. In 1863 he took over the command of F. T. Ward, who had raised a Chinese army to suppress the Taiping Rebellion, which had destroyed 600 cities. Gordon took command of the "Ever Victorious Army," gaining the name "Chinese Gordon." Under his command it truly was ever victorious, helping the Emperor to put down the rebellion.

Upon Gordon's resignation of his command in 1864, the Emperor promoted him to the rank of Ti Tu (similar in rank to a field marshal) in the Imperial Army, even though he was only a captain in the British Army. He returned to England covered with glory.

The son of Lieutenant-General Henry William Gordon, R.A., Charles entered the Military Academy after being privately schooled at Taunton, and became an officer in the Engineers. He was extremely religious, believing in a strict interpretation of the Bible, which he read for pleasure and for guidance at least one hour a day. Some accounts claim he seldom drank where others relate a large consumption of brandy. He did not like the formal socializing and wining and dining that could be involved in army life. With his strict sense of duty, he found it a waste of his time. If he did not feel that he was being productive, he would resign or ask for a transfer. His homosexuality was apparently discreet, as many accounts make no mention of it: indeed, he was such an outstanding hero that he was largely portrayed as having the virtues of a saint. According to all biographers, Gordon was an extremely talented military leader and strategist, with a knack for pulling men together and forming them into a fearsome fighting force.

In 1873 he entered the service of the Khedive of Egypt, succeeding Sir Samuel Baker as governor of Equatorial Sudan. Appointed the governor of Sudan in 1877, he waged a vigorous campaign against slave traders. He resigned in 1879.