Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cotton, Richard Lynch
COTTON, RICHARD LYNCH, D.D. (1794–1880), provost of Worcester College, Oxford, third son of Henry Calveley Cotton, was born 14 Aug. 1794, at Woodcote in Oxfordshire. He was educated at Charterhouse and at Worcester College, where he graduated B.A. 1815, M.A. 1818, and D.D. 1839. In 1823 he received the small college living (which he held for sixteen years) of Denchworth, near Wantage, and in 1839 he was appointed provost of Worcester College. From 1852 to 1856 he was vice-chancellor of the university, and it was during his term of office that the first university commission—whose inquiries he merely acknowledged but did not answer—substantially changed the old Oxford into the new. Cotton published in 1837 ‘The Way of Salvation plainly and practically traced,’ and in 1849 ‘Lectures on the Holy Sacrament.’ He also printed some funeral sermons. He married (1839) Charlotte Bouverie, a sister of Dr. Pusey, and left one daughter. All who knew him loved and respected him, for his kindness was unfailing and his piety sincere. He died 8 Dec. 1880. His ten brothers [see Cotton, Sir Sydney John] gained high distinction in the army, the navy, and the church.
[Obituary notice by J. W. B[urgon] in the Guardian, 29 Dec. 1880.]