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.

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William Cotton

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Cotton family grave

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