Norris Cotton
| Norris Cotton | |
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United States Senator from New Hampshire |
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In office November 8, 1954 – December 31, 1974 |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. Upton |
| Succeeded by | Louis C. Wyman |
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In office August 8, 1975 – September 18, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Louis C. Wyman |
| Succeeded by | John A. Durkin |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's 2nd district |
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In office January 3, 1947 – November 7, 1954 |
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| Preceded by | Sherman Adams |
| Succeeded by | Perkins Bass |
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives | |
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In office 1923 1943–1947 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Norris Henry Cotton May 11, 1900 Warren, New Hampshire, United States |
| Died | February 24, 1989 (aged 88) Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States |
| Resting place | School Street Cemetery Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Isaacs Cotton Eleanor Coolidge Brown Cotton |
| Parents | Henry Lang Cotton Elizabeth Moses |
| Education |
Wesleyan University The George Washington University |
| Profession | Lawyer Politician |
| Religion | Congregationalist |
Norris H. Cotton (May 11, 1900 – February 24, 1989) was an American Republican politician and a United States Representative as well as United States Senator from the state of New Hampshire.
Cotton was born on a farm in Warren, New Hampshire, and was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Wesleyan University in Connecticut. While in college, he served as a clerk to the New Hampshire State Senate. He also served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1923 as one of the youngest legislators in history. He became a lawyer after attending The George Washington University Law School and practiced law in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Cotton was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives again in 1943, and served as majority leader that year and as Speaker during 1945-1947.
In 1946 Cotton was elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire for the first time. He served until 1954 when he ran for a seat in the United States Senate from New Hampshire in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles W. Tobey. He was elected to a full term in 1956, reelected twice and served in the Senate until 1975.
One of his most controversial votes came when he was the only senator from New England to vote against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, Cotton would vote for later civil rights acts such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He was a prominent leader of his party in the Senate, chairing the Senate Republican Conference from 1973 to 1975. He did not run for reelection in 1974. Three days before his final term ran out Cotton resigned to allow the governor to appoint Louis C. Wyman.
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