Walter H. Cottingham

Walter Horace Cottingham (8 January 1866 – 12 March 1930) was a Canadian businessman. Cottingham help lead the global expansion of the Sherwin-Williams Company. As the second president and later chairman of the board, Cottingham spearheaded the company’s growth from 1909 to 1930, transforming it into a global powerhouse in the paint and coatings industry.

Beyond Sherwin-Williams, Cottingham also owned and chaired Lewis Berger & Sons, a major player in the paint and coatings sector. He served as a director for several notable companies, including the Cleveland Box Co., Ozark Smelting Co. , and the Cleveland Trust Company.

Early life Walter Horace Cottingham was born on 8 January 1866 in Omemee, Canada West to an English father and an Irish mother. By 1903, he was named vice president. He was interred at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cottingham’s contributions to Sherwin-Williams and the paint industry at large are remembered as a cornerstone of its success. His introduction of the "Cover the Earth" logo remains an iconic symbol of the company.