Person    | Male  Born 12/9/1786  Died 1/12/1866

William Cotton

William Cotton

William Cotton FRS was an inventor, merchant, philanthropist, and governor of the Bank of England 1842-5.

He helped build St John's Church Leytonstone in 1833, and 75 other churches in London. He worked to strengthen the world church through 3 volunteer societies.

He helped found King's College, London, and also the National Society (Church of England and Church in Wales) for the Promotion of Education, often just referred to as the National Society, and since 2016 also as The Church of England Education Office (CEEO).

He supported 4 London hospitals. While at the Bank he invented an automatic weighing machine for gold sovereigns. Fellow of the Royal Society from 1821.

Born Leytonstone, the son of Joseph Cotton. He lived and died at Walwood House in Leytonstone. Brother to Benjamin Cotton. Father to Agnes.

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:
William Cotton

Commemorated ati

Cotton family grave

Collecting gravestones is not part of our mission, but we have transcribed th...

Read More

Other Subjects

Elizabeth Jesser Reid

Elizabeth Jesser Reid

Founder of Bedford College, anti-slavery activist and philanthropist. Her Wikipedia page is very informative. Elizabeth Jesser Sturch was born on 15 December 1789 in the St Clement Danes district...

Person, Education, Gender Issues, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial
Viscountess Rothermere, Maiko Jeong Shun Lee

Viscountess Rothermere, Maiko Jeong Shun Lee

A Korean citizen born in Japan. Married (as his second wife) the 3rd Viscount Rothermere (grandson of the 1st Viscount) in 1993. Widowed 1998. From Wikipedia: In 2009 Lady Rothermere set up the La...

Person, Philanthropy, Japan, Korea

1 memorial
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association

Metropolitan Public Gardens Association

A charity for the preservation of public parks and gardens in London. It facilitated the creation of new public open spaces. First chairman was the Earl of Meath. In about 1890 the MPGA was based a...

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture, Philanthropy

6 memorials
The Children's Fold

The Children's Fold

A Barnardo's home, also referred to as Sheppard's House. It was established around 1887 at 182 Grove Road, E3. Its address is sometimes given as 180 Grove Road, so may have expanded into the neighb...

Group, Children, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Marshall's Charity

Marshall's Charity

Created in John Marshall's 1627 will to support the Anglican Church and still going strong in 2012.

Group, Philanthropy, Religion

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Kirkaldy Testing Works

Kirkaldy Testing Works

SE1, Southwark Street, 99, Kirkaldy Testing Museum

The Historic Southwark plaque is on the street frontage beside the less ornate entrance. The other, round, plaque is inside, high on the ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Joseph Cotton

Joseph Cotton

Joseph Cotton FRS was a mariner and merchant, a director of the East India Company, Chairman of the East India Dock Company and deputy-master of Trinity House. Born St Albans.  Briefly in the Roya...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
John Lewis Partnership

John Lewis Partnership

Retail group. Founded by John Spedan Lewis after his father John Lewis gave him control of the Peter Jones department store in Chelsea. All its employees (known as Partners) are co-owners. The comp...

Group, Commerce

3 memorials
Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Trumpeter. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nicknamed 'Satchmo' (short for satchel mouth). Brought up in extreme poverty, his musical career started when he learned to play the cornet. He went on to...

Person, Music / songs, USA

1 memorial
Croydon Council

Croydon Council

We think the "Croydon's Heritage" plaques must be erected by a section of Croydon Council. Certainly the Picture source website refers to the heritage plaques.

Group, Community / Clubs

6 memorials