Cotton Mather (1663–1728) was a prominent Puritan clergyman and author in colonial New England. He was born into an influential and intellectually distinguished family and went on to become a major intellectual and public figure in English-speaking colonial America. Mather played a significant role in the successful revolt of 1689 against Sir Edmund Andros, the governor of New England, and was involved in the Salem witch trials of 1692–1693. Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement in the witch trials, Mather is noted for his historical work, "Magnalia Christi Americana" (1702), and his promotion of the new experimental science in America. He carried out original research on plant hybridization and was an advocate for inoculation against smallpox. Cotton Mather corresponded extensively with European intellectuals and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Glasgow in 1710. His influential book, "Bonifacius, or Essays to Do Good" (1710), later inspired a young Benjamin Franklin. Mather's legacy is complex, as he was both a respected figure and a controversial one due to his involvement in the Salem witch trials. Despite the controversies, Mather's contributions to colonial America's intellectual and scientific development are noteworthy.

Charles Francis "Cotton" Nash (July 24, 1942 – May 23, 2023) was an American professional basketball and baseball player known for his versatile athletic skills. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Nash's family moved to Indiana when he was young, where he honed his basketball talents at Jeffersonville High School. Later, Nash attended the University of Kentucky, becoming a standout player for the Wildcats and earning All-American honors in 1964.Nash's basketball career included stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, San Francisco Warriors, and the Kentucky Colonels in the NBA and ABA. Notably, he also pursued a successful baseball career, playing for the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, and other teams in the MLB and minor leagues.Off the court, Nash married Julie Richey, with whom he had three children. He was honored with induction into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Sadly, Nash passed away at the age of 80 after battling poor health since the previous November.Throughout his life, Nash left an indelible mark on both the basketball and baseball worlds, earning recognition for his exceptional athleticism and commitment to sports.

Aimé Cotton (1869–1951) was a French physicist who discovered the Cotton effect in physics in 1895. This effect refers to the characteristic change in optical rotatory dispersion and/or circular dichroism near the absorption band of a substance. In the wavelength region where light is absorbed, the optical rotation varies rapidly with wavelength, crosses zero at absorption maxima, and then again varies rapidly with wavelength but in the opposite direction. The Cotton effect is termed positive if the optical rotation first increases as the wavelength decreases, and negative if it first decreases. This phenomenon is observed in various substances, including protein structures such as beta sheets, which exhibit a negative Cotton effect. Additionally, the Cotton effect is related to the Cotton–Mouton effect in physics. Aimé Cotton's discovery has had a significant impact on our understanding of light-matter interactions and continues to be studied and applied in various fields of science and technology.

Cotton is a versatile staple fiber that has been used to create textiles for centuries. It is derived from the cotton plant, Gossypium, and can be spun and woven into various textile products. The term "Cotton" is also associated with several geographical locations, including villages in the United Kingdom such as Cotton, Cheshire and Cotton, Staffordshire, as well as places in the United States like Cotton, Georgia and Cotton, West Virginia.The name "Cotton" has also been associated with notable individuals, including Cotton Fitzsimmons, an American basketball coach, and Cotton Mather, a prominent New England Puritan. Additionally, "Cotton" is linked to businesses and organizations such as Cotton Incorporated, a fabric organization, and the Cotton motorcycle, a British motorcycle manufacturer.In the realm of art, entertainment, and media, the term "Cotton" is connected to the Cotton library, a collection of medieval manuscripts, and the Cotton video game series. "Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams" is the first game in this series. Notably, "Cotton Hill" is a character from the animated television show King of the Hill.The term "Cotton" encompasses a wide range of associations, including its use in textiles, geographical locations, notable individuals, businesses and organizations, as well as its presence in art, entertainment, and media.

Lamarse Howard "Cotton" Ivy (May 15, 1930 – May 25, 2021) was a multifaceted American figure known for his roles as an author, educator, entertainer, and politician. Hailing from Decaturville, Tennessee, Ivy's political career saw him serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district as a member of the Democratic Party from 1985 to 1989, followed by a term as the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture from 1989 to 1995. Before venturing into politics, Ivy's early career involved teaching and entertainment, during which he recorded four albums, joined the Country Music Association, and made appearances on Hee Haw.Ivy's political journey involved notable attempts to secure key positions within the state house, including Speaker of the House and Assistant Majority Leader. His tenure as the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture was marked by his active involvement in various committees and his appointment as secretary-treasurer for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Additionally, Ivy co-authored the book "Tennessee Political Humor (Some of these Jokes You Voted For.)" with former state Senator Roy Herron in 2000.Throughout his life, Ivy was recognized for his contributions, receiving the National 4-H Club Alumnus Award in 1986. His passing in 2021 marked the end of a remarkable career that encompassed entertainment, education, and politics, leaving behind a