John Cotton

@Preachers, Family and Childhood ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ John Cotton was a 17th century preacher and an eminent theologian of the Massachusetts Bay Colony American British Theologians Miscellaneous Preachers Sagittarius Celebrities John Cotton, a highly respected and knowledgeable clergyman of the early 17th century, was an outstanding scholar who advocated for bringing about reforms in the manner the Anglican Church operated. An eminent theologian of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he was a Puritan who established the first church in Boston along with John Wilson. He served as a teacher in the church and played an important role in the establishment of America’s first public school - The Boston Latin School. He was an excellent preacher and an eloquent speaker whose views and opinions were greatly respected. He was often consulted for advice in settling issues both in the political and church matters. The son of a lawyer, he was exposed to religious studies from an early age. He studied rhetoric, philosophy, Greek, astronomy and logic in colleges and was regarded highly educated in his time. He also developed his preaching and oratory skills for which he would become famous later on. He was especially influenced by the teachings of the Cambridge theologian, William Perkins who was one of the foremost leaders of the Puritan movement. He was a notable speaker who spoke with such authority and clarity that listening to him was like listening to the speeches of none other than Jesus Christ.

Personal Details

Birthday: December 4, 1585 Died on: December 23, 1652 Nationality: British, American Famous: Preachers, Theologians, Miscellaneous, Preachers Spouses: Elizabeth Horrocks, Sarah Siblings: Sariah Childrens: Elizabeth, Maria, Rowland, Sariah, Seaborn Information Detail Birthday December 4, 1585 Died on December 23, 1652 Nationality British, American Famous Preachers, Theologians, Miscellaneous, Preachers Spouses Elizabeth Horrocks, Sarah Siblings Sariah Childrens Elizabeth, Maria, Rowland, Sariah, Seaborn Universities Derby School Trinity College Emmanuel College Discoveries / Inventions Anglican Puritan Birth Place Derbyshire, England Born Country United Kingdom Gender Male Father Rowland Cotton, Mother Mary Hurlbert Sun Sign Sagittarius Born in Derbyshire, England Famous as Theologian & Preacher Died at Age 67

Derbyshire, England

John Cotton born at Unsplash Birth Place

He married Elizabeth Horrocks in 1613. The couple did not have any children and his wife died of malaria later on. Unsplash Personal Life

In 1632 he married Sarah who was the widow of Roland Story. His second marriage produced six children. Unsplash Personal Life

He became very ill in late 1652 and died in December. He was interred in the King's Chapel Burying Ground in Boston. Unsplash Personal Life

He was one of the four children of lawyer Rowland Cotton and his wife Mary Hurlbert, a pious lady. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Young John was educated at Derby School where he was taught by the ordained priest Richard Johnson. He later went to Trinity College from where he completed his matriculation in 1598. He received his B.A. in 1603. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He went to the Puritan college, Emmanuel College and completed his M.A. in 1606. He continued his studies and read Hebrew, theology, and disputation. He also began preaching at this time. He was already well-versed in Greek and perspective. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He was ordained as a priest and deacon in July 1610 and became the minister at Saint Botolph’s church in Boston in 1612. He was only 27 years old at that time but was already gaining fame for his scholarly and persuasive preaching. He received his Bachelor of Divinity in 1613. Unsplash Career

He was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Puritan theologian William Perkins from whom he learned to be practical, sensible and flexible. He himself was a non-conformist Puritan. Unsplash Career

He received an intuitive message that he had been called for Salvation. He understood that his life’s calling was in preaching and teaching. Through his preaching he convinced John Preston, the future master of Emmanuel College to convert. Unsplash Career

He was strongly anti-Catholic and opposed the established English church. As a puritan he believed it was necessary to bring reforms in the established church, and that these reforms should come from within. Unsplash Career

Puritans had four basic agendas: Seeking moral transformation, practicing piety, returning to the Bible, and strictly following the Sabbath. As a devoted Puritan, Cotton followed all the four of these. Unsplash Career

Actor John Lithgow is a descendant of this very famous 17th century theologian. Unsplash Trivia

Information	Detail
Birthday	December 4, 1585
Died on	December 23, 1652
Nationality	British, American
Famous	Preachers, Theologians, Miscellaneous, Preachers
Spouses	Elizabeth Horrocks, Sarah
Siblings	Sariah
Childrens	Elizabeth, Maria, Rowland, Sariah, Seaborn
Universities	Derby School Trinity College Emmanuel College
Discoveries / Inventions	Anglican Puritan
Birth Place	Derbyshire, England
Born Country	United Kingdom
Gender	Male
Father	Rowland Cotton,
Mother	Mary Hurlbert
Sun Sign	Sagittarius
Born in	Derbyshire, England
Famous as	Theologian & Preacher
Died at Age	67

John Cotton

British

Dec 4, 1585

Biography

Personal Details

Derbyshire, England