The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Cotton, Sir Henry John Stedman
Cotton, Sir Henry John Stedman, K.C.S.I., (1902); C.S.I., (1892), b. 1845; 2nd s. of J. J. Cotton, late Madras Civil Service; m. 1867; Mary, d, of late James Ryan; Educ.; Magdalen College School; Brighton College; King’s Coll. London; Passed Indian Civil Service, 1865; joined service in Bengal, 1867; Under Secretary to Government, 1873-6; Registrar of High Court, 1874; Junior Secretary to Government, 1876-78; Magistrate and Collector, Chittagong, 1878-81; acted as Commissioner, 1879, 1884; Sec. to Board of Revenue, 1881-87; Commissioner of Police and Chairman of Calcutta Corporation, 1887; Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, 1888; Financial Department, 1889-91; Chief Secretary to Bengal Government, 1892-96; Acting Home Secretary to Government of India, 1897: Chief Commissioner of Assam, 1897-1902; retired, 1903, M.P.(L), for Nottingham East, 1906-10; President of the Indian National Congress, 1905; Publications: Memo, on the Rev. History of Chittagong, 1880; Memo. on the Land Tenure of Bengal, 1884; New India or India in Transition, 1885; revised and enlarged editions, 1904-7; Indian and Home Memories, 1911. Address 45, St. John’s Wood Park. N.W. Clubs: Savile, National Liberal.