Gordon, James Bentley (1750–1819), clergyman and historian, was son of the Rev. James Gordon of Neeve Hall, Co. Londonderry, and his wife, a daughter of Thomas Neeve. He entered TCD in 1768, graduating BA in 1772. A long illness left his sight severely debilitated, the cause of much discomfort in his lifetime. He was ordained in the Church of Ireland in 1773, and in 1776 became tutor to the sons of Lord Courtown. Around 1779 he attempted to run a boarding school at Marlfield, Co. Wexford, but it was not a success. In 1796 he became rector of Cannaway, Co. Cork, and in 1799 received an additional position as rector of Killegney, Co. Wexford; both were worth about £600 a year.
Between 1790 and 1798 he published six volumes of Terraquea, or A new system of history and geography. This work in progress, however, was interrupted by the 1798 rebellion. Residing in Wexford, his three youngest children were captured by rebels, but unharmed, while two of his sons fought on the loyalist side. His eldest son, James George Gordon, was a lieutenant in Courtown's yeoman cavalry.
In 1801 he published his account and assessment of what had happened, A history of the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Wanting to give an objective account of events, his purpose was to reconcile his countrymen whatever their background; he believed that actions on all sides had damaged the fabric of the British constitution. The work was warmly received in some quarters, but drew criticism for different reasons from catholics and protestants. Although the book does contain many errors, as a near-contemporary account it is an invaluable historical record. Certainly given the difficulties of his task, and his proximity to events, it was a substantial achievement. A second edition with additions was published in 1803. This answered some of the attacks, especially those of Sir Richard Musgrave (qv), who had alleged that Gordon had written the book to make it easier to collect tithes. Two other books were published in his lifetime, but neither had the same impact: A history of Ireland (1805) and A history of the British Islands (1815).
Gordon was dedicated to intellectual pursuits, but was unable to manage his financial affairs: he was careless with money, leading to problems throughout his life. His manner was somewhat awkward and peculiar, probably an effect of his sight problems, and his conversation and abilities declined in later years. He died 10 April 1819.
He married (c.1779) a daughter of Richard Bookey of Co. Wicklow. They had several children; his son, James George Gordon, was killed (1813) at Fort Sandusky, Canada, and one of his daughters married Thomas Jones, who wrote a short biographical account in Gordon's final book, published posthumously.