Cotten, Lyman A., 1909-1991

Lyman Atkinson Cotten (1909-1990) graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1936 and from Yale University in 1941. He taught English at the University of North Carolina for 34 years, retiring in 1974. Cotten was a trustee of the Order of the Gimghouls, a secret society at the University, from 1952 until his death. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Society of the Cincinnati, and the Modern Language Association.

From the description of Lyman A. Cotten photographic and printed material collection, circa 1870s-1960s. WorldCat record id: 43074557

Lyman A. Cotten (1909-1991) taught English literature at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., from 1940 to 1974.

From the description of Lyman A. Cotten papers, 1927-1995. WorldCat record id: 39850863

Lyman A. Cotten (1909-1991) taught English literature at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., from 1940 to 1974. He received the A. B. degree from the University of North Carolina in 1936 and the Ph.D. from Yale University in 1941. He was the son of U.S. Navy Captain Lyman A. Cotten (1874-1926) and Elizabeth Brownrigg Henderson Cotten (1875-1975) and the husband of Patricia White Cotten.

From the guide to the Lyman A. Cotten (1909-1991) Papers, 1927-1995, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

Lyman A. Cotten (1909-1990), the son of Lyman A. Cotten (1839-1928) and Elizabeth Henderson Cotten, graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1936 and from Yale University in 1941. He taught English at the University of North Carolina for 34 years, retiring in 1974. Cotten was a trustee of the Order of the Gimghouls, a secret society at the University, from 1952 until his death. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Society of the Cincinnati, and the Modern Language Association.

Lyman A. Cotten (1874-1926), Lyman A. Cotten's father, a diplomat and naval officer, was born in Pitt County, N.C., the son of Robert Randolph Cotten and Sallie Southall Cotten. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1898 and served in the Spanish-American War and in World War I. In 1908, he married Elizabeth Brownrigg Henderson (Bessie). Cotten's commands included the U.S.S. Columbia, the U.S.S. Zafiro, the U.S.S. Nebraska, the U.S.S. Chattanooga, and the U.S.S. Richmond. His naval and diplomatic assignments took him to Cuba, Puerto Rico, South America, the Philippines, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, and the eastern Mediterranean. He was fond of naval history and wrote extensively. He died on 14 January 1926 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. A naval destroyer was named in his honor.

John Henderson Cotten (1913-1982), Lyman A. Cotten's brother, graduated in 1935 from the United States Naval Academy. In 1945, he was given command of the U.S.S. Badger. He was decorated for services in the Pacific during World War II that included a bronze star for action in the Kurile Islands. He briefly served as a Naval Liaison officer to the United States Army in Korea. In 1964, he worked for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs serving on the Multilateral Force.

Robert Randolph Cotten (1839-1928), Lyman A. Cotten's grandfather, was born on a farm in Edgecombe County, N.C. Prior to the Civil War, he was a prosperous cotton broker in Baltimore. When the conflict erupted, Cotten dissolved his enterprise and returned to North Carolina. After the war, he operated several successful businesses in the state. In 1866, Cotten married Sallie Swepson Sims Southall. He owned two plantations in Pitt County, one of which (Cottendale), was their permanent family residence. A respected member of his community, Cotten served as state representative in both houses of Congress as well as occupying several state and local offices.

Sallie Swepson Sims Southall Cotten (1846-1929), Lyman A. Cotten's grandmother, is best known for her role as a civic leader and work on behalf of the women's suffrage movement in North Carolina. She graduated from Greensboro College in 1863 and then worked as a schoolteacher. In 1866, she married Robert Randolph Cotten and settled into the life of a housewife and mother at their plantation, Cottendale. The couple had nine children. In 1893, she was appointed as a manager of the Chicago World's Fair. Through her research and travels, Sallie Southall Cotten met women from many parts of the country. She became active in the women's movement and was a leader in the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs for 25 years. The organization designated her an honorary president for life. She authored several works including The History of the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs, 1901-1925 (1925), and The White Doe (1901).

From the guide to the Lyman A. Cotten Photographic and Printed Material Collection, circa 1870s-1960s, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection.)