Charles William Gordon, CMG, commonly known as Ralph Connor, was a Canadian novelist who used the Connor pen name while simultaneously serving as a church leader, first in the Presbyterian and later in the United Church of Canada. Gordon was born in Glengarry County, Canada West. He was the son of Rev. Daniel and Mary Robertson Gordon. His father was a Free Church of Scotland missionary in Upper Canada. While at Knox College, Gordon was impressed by Superintendent Robertson's presentation on the issues in the West, which led him to pursue his summer mission work there and, eventually, to dedicate his life working for reform and mission in Western Canada. Gordon felt called to become one of these missionaries, establishing not only churches but also Christian social and moral change in Western Canada. To that purpose, Gordon completed his theological schooling in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was strengthened in his resolve to introduce the church to Western Canada. During the 1870s and 1880s, theological attitudes in Scotland shifted toward liberalism. Gordon was very interested in the endeavor to harmonize ancient Christian doctrine with modern achievements such as science and evolution. He became a powerful advocate for Western social change and church unity.