General Patrick Gordon was born - On this day in history

General Patrick Gordon, an Aberdeenshire man who became a close advisor to Tsar Peter of Russia, was born on 31 March 1635.

Gordon left home at the age of fifteen and after serving in various European armies, joined the Russian army in 1661. After distinguishing himself in wars against the Turks in southern Russia, he was made Major-General and then Lieutenant-General. Tsar Peter raised Gordon to the rank of General in Chief and the pair were so close that the Tsar was in attendance at Gordon's death bed in 1699.

Further reading: Diary of General Patrick Gordon, Aberdeen University Press