Robert Gordon (philanthropist) the late twentieth century as The Robert Gordon University. Robert Gordon (philanthropist) Robert Gordon (1668–1731), a 17th-century merchant and philanthropist, was born in Aberdeen. He was the only son of Arthur Gordon who married Isabella Menzies of Balgownie. When Arthur Gordon, a well-respected advocate in the Edinburgh courts, died in 1680, he left his twelve-year-old son the sum of 20,000 merks (about £1,100 then and considerably more in modern currency). When Gordon reached the age of sixteen he became a Burgess of the City of Aberdeen. Among other benefits, this entitled him to follow a merchant's trade in the town.
Robert Crawford (Scottish poet) Robert Crawford (Scottish poet) Robert Crawford FRSE FBA (born 1959) is a Scottish poet, scholar and critic. He is currently Professor of English at the University of St Andrews. He was born in Bellshill and grew up in Cambuslang. He was educated at the private Hutchesons' Grammar School and in the same city at Glasgow University, where he received his M.A. degree. He then went to Balliol College, Oxford, where he received his D. Phil. His paternal grandfather was a Minister in the Church of Scotland and he considers himself a "Christian with a Presbyterian accent, rather than a Protestant",