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Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

(1571-1631), Antiquary

Sitter associated with 13 portraits
Founder of the Cottonian Library, the single greatest resource of literature in Old English and Middle English, which now resides at the British Library. Educated at Westminster School and Jesus College, Cambridge, Cotton became interested in antiquarian studies under his tutor, William Camden, and began to form a library. He entered Parliament in 1601 where he advised James I and Charles I. With a set of records that surpassed that of the government, his library was used extensively by parliamentarians and scholars. Cotton's anti-royalist politics led the authorities to fear the uses of his library and in 1630 it was confiscated and returned to his heirs only after his death.

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Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG 534

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
oil on canvas, 17th-19th century, based on a work of 1629
On display at Lyme Park, Stockport
NPG 534

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Thomas Cross, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D28023

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Thomas Cross, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1655
NPG D28023

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Thomas Cross, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D33597

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Thomas Cross, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1655
NPG D33597

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Thomas Cross, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D33596

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Thomas Cross, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1655
NPG D33596

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Robert White, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D33598

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Robert White, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1696 (1629)
NPG D33598

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Robert White, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D18624

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Robert White, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1696 (1629)
NPG D18624

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by Robert White, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D18800

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by Robert White, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, published 1696 (1629)
NPG D18800

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by James Tookey, after  Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) - NPG D28025

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by James Tookey, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D28025

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by George Vertue, after  Unknown artist - NPG D28026

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1744
NPG D28026

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by George Vertue, after  Unknown artist - NPG D34163

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1744
NPG D34163

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt, by George Vertue, after  Paul van Somer - NPG D19167

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Bt

by George Vertue, after Paul van Somer
engraving, published 1744
NPG D19167

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