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Sir Robert Cotton

1644 – 1717

English politician

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About Sir Robert Cotton

Lived 1644 – 1717 (aged 73). Sir Robert Cotton was an English politician.

Sir Robert Cotton (2 May 1644 – 17 September 1717) was an English politician. He sat as a Member of Parliament from 1679 to 1701 and briefly in 1702.

Life He was the third son of Sir Thomas Cotton, 2nd Baronet, the second son by Sir Thomas's second wife Alice. He was granted the manor of Hatley, Cambridgeshire by his half-brother in 1662, the year of his father's death.

He sat as a Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire from 1679 to 1695, for Newport, Isle of Wight from 1695 to 1701 and briefly for Truro in 1702. He was selected as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire for Jan–Nov 1688.

A Tory, he was one of the joint holders of the Postmaster General position from 1691, after the dismissal of John Wildman, until he retired in 1708.

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Important facts

Born
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1680-81 Parliament, Member of the 1685-87 Parliament, Member of the 1681 Parliament
Awards
Knighthood
Also known as
Robert Cotton

People in Sir Robert Cotton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Sir Robert Cotton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sir Robert Cotton?

English politician (1644-1717)

When was Sir Robert Cotton born?

Sir Robert Cotton was born on 2 May 1644.

When did Sir Robert Cotton die?

Sir Robert Cotton died on 17 September 1717.

What was Sir Robert Cotton's occupation?

Sir Robert Cotton was a politician.

What nationality was Sir Robert Cotton?

Sir Robert Cotton was English.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sir Robert Cotton

· Wikidata: Q7343132

· DBpedia: Robert Cotton (MP, born 1644)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sir Robert Cotton. https://biography.guide/sir-robert-cotton/

MLA: "Sir Robert Cotton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sir-robert-cotton/.

Chicago: "Sir Robert Cotton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sir-robert-cotton/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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