Person    | Male  Born 22/1/1571  Died 6/5/1631

Sir Robert Cotton

Antiquarian and politician. Born Robert Bruce Cotton in Denton, Huntingdonshire. He entered parliament in 1601, as the member for Newtown, Isle of Wight. His collection of manuscripts which became the Cottonian Library, was the basis of what became the British Library. It included many priceless items, among which were two original copies of the Magna Carta

From the British Library: Robert Cotton was a landowner, politician and scholar. He made his collection of books and manuscripts – including two original copies of Magna Carta – available for consultation. In 1629 the King {Charles I} ordered the closure of Cotton’s library, which was seen as a threat to royal power, and Cotton was briefly imprisoned. Cotton’s son and grandson expanded the collection, ultimately leaving it to Parliament to ‘be kept and preserved … for Publick Use and Advantage’. UNESCO added the Cotton manuscripts to its Memory of the World UK Register in 2018.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Robert Cotton

Commemorated ati

Sir Robert Cotton

This bust is a 20th-century replica after Louis-François Roubiliac, 1757.

Read More

Other Subjects

Pumphouse Educational Trust and Museum

Pumphouse Educational Trust and Museum

The museum is located on land that until 1970 was part of the Surrey Docks. After these closed, the area was refurbished and the old pumphouse became a museum. It also houses the Rotherhithe Herita...

Group, Education, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial
Andrew Gifford, DD

Andrew Gifford, DD

Non-conformist minister and numismatist. Born Bristol. Became Baptist minister at Little Wild Street (see Samuel Stennett) in 1730 but in 1735 he had to leave when accused by a member of the congre...

Person, Museums / Libraries, Religion

1 memorial
Pennsylvania Library Association

Pennsylvania Library Association

The Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) is the state's oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Libra...

Group, Literature, Museums / Libraries, USA

1 memorial
Cecil Sharp

Cecil Sharp

Collector of English folk-songs and dances. Born Denmark Hill. Spent 1882 - 92 in Australia. Developed an interest in English folk-music in 1899 and began his prolific collection which later expand...

Person, Dance, Museums / Libraries, Music / songs, Australia

1 memorial