Cotton, Frank Stanley

Born in Camperdown Sydney, Cotton studied at Fort Street Primary and Sydney Boys High schools and the University of Sydney from which he graduated as Bachelor of Science in 1912 and Doctor of Science in 1931. The University of Sydney appointed Cotton Lecturer and demonstrator in Physiology in 1914, Research Professor in 1942 and Professor of Physiology in 1946. Cotton's main research interest was the physiology of exercise and its application to the training of athletes. In 1952, Cotton was appointed Scientific Adviser to the Australian Olympic Team. He was a member of the Board of Studies in Physical Education established, by the NSW Government Minister for Education in 1940, to set up a School of Physical Education. During World War II, he investigated the problem of blackout in pilots and developed a gradient-pressure ("Anti-gravity") aerodynamic suit. In 1949, Cotton founded the NSW Society for Gerontology.