Date of Birth: 1918
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois
Date of Death: 1971
Place of Death: Chicago, Illinois
Carl Cotton (1918–1971) was an American taxidermist and artist known for being the first African American taxidermist to work at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. His work significantly influenced the museum’s exhibits and helped shape modern museum taxidermy techniques.
Carl Cotton was born in 1918 and grew up on the South Side of Chicago near Washington Park. From an early age, he showed a fascination with nature and animals, which inspired him to explore the art of taxidermy. Timuel Black, a childhood friend, recalled Cotton’s early interest in taxidermy, joking that “cats and rats ran when they saw Carl.” He taught himself the craft as a teenager by studying books and practicing on small animals. Cotton’s deep understanding of animal anatomy and natural habitats contributed to his ability to create realistic and lifelike specimens.
In 1940, Cotton wrote a letter to the Field Museum’s director requesting a job in taxidermy. He described himself as an amateur taxidermist with a particular interest in reptiles and mentioned that he had a personal collection of 30 live snakes he could use for the museum. However, his request was denied, as the museum required professional experience or a graduate degree in taxidermy.
During World War II, Cotton served as a naval stenographer. After returning from service, he reached out to the Field Museum again in 1947, offering to volunteer to demonstrate his skills. This time, the museum gave him a chance, hiring him as a temporary assistant in the vertebrate anatomy department. After only a month of work, Cotton was hired full-time.
Cotton specialized in preparing bird specimens, and his work eventually accounted for more than a quarter of all the birds in the museum’s collection. He also contributed to exhibits featuring mammals, reptiles, insects, and fish.
His most famous work is the Marsh Birds of the Upper Nile exhibit, which features several bird species from Uganda, including the shoebill stork. Cotton crafted marsh plants from wax and recreated the muddy terrain, making the exhibit highly lifelike. The display remains a permanent part of the Field Museum’s collection. Cotton also helped create displays featuring North American wildlife, African mammals, and aquatic life.
His ability to make animals appear lifelike through careful positioning and anatomical precision earned him respect among his peers. Cotton was also known for experimenting with materials and techniques to improve the longevity and realism of the museum’s exhibits.
In 1966, the museum created an Exhibitions Department and named Cotton as its first staff member. He was responsible for preparing exhibits that represented the other departments individually and as part of larger displays. Cotton developed innovative techniques, including a method for replicating the appearance of hairless animals like reptiles using cellulose acetate. His ability to recreate plants and natural environments using various materials also set his work apart.
Beyond taxidermy, Cotton was an accomplished artist who combined his artistic sensibility with scientific accuracy. He had a particular talent for recreating natural environments, including vegetation, water, and soil, to make dioramas appear as realistic as possible.
Cotton continued practicing taxidermy at home throughout his career, taking on private commissions and personal projects. During the 1950s and 1960s, he lived with his family in Gary, Indiana, where he expanded the garage into a personal taxidermy workshop. Large animals were often preserved there while he worked on them. In the years before his death, Cotton moved back to Chicago. He died of cancer in 1971.
His work influenced future generations of taxidermists and helped elevate the role of taxidermy in natural history museums from simple specimen preservation to immersive educational experiences.
Today, Cotton is remembered as a trailblazer in the field of taxidermy and a pioneering African American figure in the world of natural history museums. His work continues to be appreciated by visitors and taxidermists alike for its artistry, accuracy, and lasting impact.
