Born at Lynn. He was articled, it is believed, to Mr Morris, surgeon, of Gosberton, Lincolnshire, and after qualifying returned to his native town, where he was elected House Surgeon to the Lynn Dispensary, continuing in this office till the institution was dissolved. He then became partner with Thomas Ingle, whom he afterwards succeeded in his practice. He had previously followed Ingle as Surgeon to the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital, and continued in this position for some years, till, warned by a severe attack of haemoptysis, he was compelled to retire from general practice and devote himself only to consultant work. The death of his son preyed upon him in his enfeebled state of health, yet he was persuaded by the friends of the institution again to become a candidate in 1857 for the post of Surgeon to the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital vacated by the death of George Sayle. He was re-elected and continued to perform the duties of his office till within some weeks of his death, which took place on December 31st, 1858. As a professional man Cotton enjoyed a deservedly high reputation. He was a particularly skilful operator, one of his earliest successes being the excision of the knee-joint at a time when this operation was not customary. He was an ardent lover of his profession, labouring constantly to advance its interests. For six years he was an Alderman in the Lynn Corporation, for several years a borough magistrate, and was known for his public spirit. The public welfare was an object he steadily held in view throughout his career; to a public servant no higher praise could be awarded. He was of amiable disposition, though at times hasty; and his benevolence, unmarred by ostentation, was of a most practical character. Publications: Cotton's writings, chiefly on difficult cases in his practice, include: "Case of Excision of Head of Thigh-bone." - *Lond. Med. Gaz*., 1849, xliv, 1057; xlvi, 37. "Complicated Surgical Cases." - *Prov. Med. Jour.*, 1845-52. "Successful Excision of Knee-joint." - *Assoc. Med. Jour.*, 1854, ii, 696. "Successful Excision of Ankle." - *Ibid*., 1855, ii, 563. "Gutta-percha Bougie broken in the Bladder : Successful Use of Lithotrite." - *Ibid*., 1854, ii, 1053. "Bronzed Skin and Disease of Suprarenal Capsules." - *Med. Times and Gaz*., 1857, ii, 33.