Origins & Early Life

Major-General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator. He saw action in the Crimean War as an officer in the British Army. He made his military reputation in China, where he was placed in command of the "Ever Victorious Army", a force of Chinese soldiers led by European officers that was instrumental in putting down the Taiping Rebellion, regularly defeating much larger forces. For these accomplishments, he was given the nickname "Chinese Gordon" and honours from both the Emperor of China and the British.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He entered the service of the Khedive of Egypt in 1873 (with British government approval) and later became the Governor-General of the Sudan, where he did much to suppress revolts and the local slave trade. He resigned and returned to Europe in 1880. A serious revolt broke out in the Sudan, led by a Muslim religious leader and self-proclaimed Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad. In early 1884, Gordon was sent to Khartoum with instructions to secure the evacuation of loyal soldiers and civilians and to depart with them. In defiance of those instructions...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Chester W. Nimitz — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Fleet Admiral who commanded the US Pacific Fleet during WWII and pioneered naval logistics.
• D. H. Lawrence — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Modernist English writer, poet, and essayist championing instinct and sexuality.
• Alan Alda — Shared historical date (01-28 · Born) (1936): Esteemed American actor celebrated for M*A*S*H and decades of versatile performances.
• André the Giant — Shared historical date (01-28 · Died) (1993): French wrestler and actor, famed for his colossal size and wrestling career.
• Akio Morita — Shared historical date (01-26 · Born) (1921): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Arthur Cayley — Shared historical date (01-26 · Died) (1895): Pioneering English mathematician, instrumental in founding modern algebra and group theory.
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