Illustration of Mary Ann Cotton, 1872 (The Illustrated Police News, etc., viaNewspapers.com™)

Mary Ann Cotton (1832–1873) is considered one of Britain’s most prolific female serial killers. She is suspected of poisoningup to 21 people, including 11 of her children and stepchildren, 3 of her 4 husbands, her mother, and others. 

Despite having so many allegedvictims, Mary Ann Cotton was convicted of onlyone murder—that of her young stepsonCharles Edward Cotton, whom she poisoned witharsenic in 1872. She washanged to death for the murder on March 24, 1873, in County Durham, England.

Learn more about the Mary Ann Cotton Murders through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about the Mary Ann Cotton Murders

Mary Ann Cotton is apprehended and formally remanded 20 Jul 1872, SatThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comInquest is held on body of Charles Edward Cotton 30 Jul 1872, TueThe Birmingham Daily Mail (Birmingham, West Midlands, England) Newspapers.comPoisoning case is partially investigated & Cotton charged with murder 22 Aug 1872, ThuThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comSurgeon gives evidence & Cotton is formally committed for trial 24 Aug 1872, SatThe Leeds Mercury (Leeds, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comSummary of suspicious circumstances in death of Charles Edward Cotton 30 Aug 1872, FriCoventry Standard (Coventry, West Midlands, England) Newspapers.comBody of Joseph Nattrass exhumed and examined 16 Sep 1872, MonThe Evening Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton and District (Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England) Newspapers.com"Three More Bodies to Be Exhumed" 02 Oct 1872, WedThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comLife of Mary Ann Cotton as reported by newspapers 05 Oct 1872, SatThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comList of Mary Ann Cotton's suspected victims, published October 1872 05 Oct 1872, SatThe Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comBodies of two children exhumed; Body of husband cannot be located 16 Oct 1872, WedThe Evening Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton and District (Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England) Newspapers.comIllustration of Mary Ann Cotton 16 Nov 1872, SatThe Illustrated Police News, etc. (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comMary Ann Cotton's pregnancy delays her trial 23 Nov 1872, SatThe Yorkshire Herald and the York Herald (York, North Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comGrand jury returns "true bill" against Cotton for murder of stepson 12 Dec 1872, ThuThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comMary Ann Cotton gives birth to daughter 13 Jan 1873, MonDaily News (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comCotton brought before magistrates so more charges can be investigated 22 Feb 1873, SatThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.comCotton committed for trial on two further charges of murder 26 Feb 1873, WedThe Bradford Observer (Bradford, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comAd for "Mary Ann Cotton's Defence Fund" 27 Feb 1873, ThuNorthern Echo (Darlington, Durham, England) Newspapers.comDay 1 of Mary Ann Cotton's trial for murder of Charles Edward Cotton 06 Mar 1873, ThuThe Leeds Mercury (Leeds, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comDay 2 of Mary Ann Cotton's trial for murder of Charles Edward Cotton 07 Mar 1873, FriThe Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comDay 3 of Mary Ann Cotton's trial: Guilty verdict & death sentence 08 Mar 1873, SatSheffield and Rotherham Independent (Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comMary Ann Cotton's execution date is set for March 24, 1873 14 Mar 1873, FriThe Leeds Mercury (Leeds, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.comMary Ann Cotton sends letter to her 3rd husband, James Robinson 17 Mar 1873, MonManchester Evening News (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England) Newspapers.comPetition prepared asking for commutation of Cotton's death sentence 19 Mar 1873, WedManchester Evening News (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England) Newspapers.comMary Ann Cotton chooses a guardian for her baby daughter 20 Mar 1873, ThuThe Newcastle Daily Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) Newspapers.com"Execution of Mary Ann Cotton" 24 Mar 1873, MonThe Pall Mall Gazette (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com"Execution and Confession of Mrs. Cotton" 25 Mar 1873, TueThe Huddersfield Chronicle and West Yorkshire Advertiser (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.com"Cotton Statistics" 25 Mar 1873, TueThe Charleston Daily News (Charleston, South Carolina) Newspapers.com Illustrations of Mary Ann Cotton and her execution 29 Mar 1873, SatThe Illustrated Police News, etc. (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com