Cotton, Robert Bruce (1571–1631)

English antiquary. At his home in Westminster he built up a fine collection of historical manuscripts and coins, many of which derived from the dissolution of the monasteries. His son Thomas Cotton (1594–1662) added to the library (which eventually became the Cottonian Collection of the British Library, London).

During his lifetime, Cotton acquired a great reputation as an antiquary. He was referred to by Queen Elizabeth I regarding a question of precedence between England and Spain, and similar requests were made by members of her government. Under King James VI and I he rapidly gained royal favour, being employed on several antiquarian researches.

Cotton was first elected to Parliament in 1604, but after the accession of Charles I his influence was used in opposition to the crown on constitutional grounds, and he strongly opposed the suggested debasement of the coinage. Cotton's written criticisms of royalty led to his exclusion in 1629 from his library, which was not restored to the family until after his death.