GORDON, Donald MacPherson (c. 1875-1955) was born in Scotland and served a five year apprenticeship in Edinburgh with the prominent architect Henry F. Kerr, from 1895 to 1900. During his training, he attended the Edinburgh School of Applied Art, and took classes at Heriot Watt College. In 1900 he joined the office of Sir Rowand Anderson (1900-01), and later worked for Dunn & Findlay (1901-03). In late 1903 he left Scotland and moved to South Africa, where he assisted Thomas A. Sladdin of Capetown from 1903 to 1907. While there, he collaborated with G.G. Henderson on a competition entry for the Law Courts Building at Bloemfontein and they received Second Premium for their effort (South African Association of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Journal, Dec. 1906, 49).
In 1907 Gordon decided to move to Canada, and settled in Montreal where he joined Ross & MacFarlane, the largest and most successful architectural office in that city. He continued to work with the firm for at least four years, but by 1913 he had opened his own practice in partnership with James A. Aird, a designer and draftsman who he had met in the office of Ross & MacFarlane. Their office was active until late 1915, when one (or both?) left for Europe to join Canadian Forces overseas. Gordon returned to Montreal after 1920 and worked under his own name or in collaboration with Grattan D. Thompson, with whom he formed a partnership in 1924 or 1925. They remained active until at least 1935, but appear to have dissolved their business after that date. Gordon continued to practise until 1950, and later died in Montreal, Que. on 24 February 1955 (death notice The Gazette [Montreal], 25 Feb. 1955, 31; inf. RIBA, Directory of British Architects 1834-1914, i, 752; inf. Susan Wagg, Hanover, N.H.)
(works in Montreal unless noted)
GORDON & AIRD
WESTMOUNT, residence for W.J. Brennan, Redfern Avenue, 1913-14 (C.R., xxvii, 26 Nov. 1913, 71)
POINTE CLAIRE, major addition to Cedar Park School for the Protestant School Commissioners, Cedar Avenue near Lakeview Avenue, 1921 (Le Prix Courant [Montreal], liv, 10 June 1921, 14)
D.M. GORDON
WESTMOUNT, a mansion for A.E. Perrins, Montrose Avenue at Mount Pleasant Avenue, 1923 (Le Prix Courant [Montreal], lvi, 15 June 1923, 14)
MIRAMICHI, N.B., residence at South Nelson for G.P. Burchill, 1924 (dwgs. at NBA, MC 104)
GORDON & THOMPSON
WEST HILL HIGH SCHOOL, West Hill Avenue near Monkland Avenue, a major addition of ten classrooms, 1926 (Gazette [Montreal], 3 March 1926, 5; inf. Scott Edwards)
WILLINGDON SCHOOL, Terrebonne Avenue at Royal Avenue, designed 1928; built 1929 (C.R., xlii, 24 Oct. 1928, 48; xliii, 24 April 1929, 64; Gazette [Montreal], 13 Dec. 1928, 6; 23 May 1929, 5, descrip.; City of Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 304-07, illus.; inf. Scott Edwards)
BARCLAY SCHOOL, Wiseman Avenue at Ball Avenue, 1930-31 (C.R., xliv, 28 May 1930, 207, t.c.; list of works on R.I.B.A. Application for Membership from Grattan D. Thompson)
EXCELLENT FILM EXCHANGE BUILDING, Monkland Avenue at Hampton Avenue, 1931 (E. McMann, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts - Spring Exhibitions, 1988, 149, list of works)
NOTRE DAME DE GRACE COMMUNITY HALL, Cote St. Antoine Road at Decarie Boulevard, assembly hall, gymnasium, and public baths, 1931-32 (C.R., xlv, 16 Dec. 1931, 52, t.c.; xlvi, 27 Jan. 1932, 47, t.c.; 13 April 1932, 44; Gazette [Montreal], 9 Feb. 1932, 4, descrip.; inf. Scott Edwards)
KENSINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Grand Boulevard at Godfrey Avenue, a new church and parish hall, 1933-34 (Gazette [Montreal], 25 March 1933, 5, descrip.)