Elizabeth Brownrigg Henderson Cotten

Elizabeth Brownrigg Henderson Cotten
Cotten in 1922
Born
Elizabeth Brownrigg Henderson

(1875-08-04)August 4, 1875
DiedFebruary 3, 1975(1975-02-03) (aged 99)
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
EducationSt. Mary's Junior College
Occupationsphilanthropist, socialite, activist, librarian
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLyman A. Cotten
Children2
Parent(s)John S. Henderson (father)
Elizabeth Brownrigg Cain (mother)
RelativesArchibald Henderson (brother)
Mary Henderson (sister)
Christian Reid (cousin)

Elizabeth Brownrigg "Bessie" Henderson Cotten (August 4, 1875 – February 3, 1975) was an American librarian, socialite, philanthropist, and women's rights activist. She served as the first curator of the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Cotten was an active member of the Democratic Party and campaigned for Al Smith during the 1928 United States presidential election. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.