“Theories have four stages of acceptance: i) this is worthless nonsense; ii) this is an interesting, but perverse, point of view; iii) this is true, but quite unimportant; iv) I always said so.”
— J.B.S. Haldane, 1963
— J.B.S. Haldane, 1963
5. Death of Cold Fusion Opponent Albert Cotton Under InvestigationBy Steven Krivit
Officials are investigating the death of Texas A&M chemistry professor Frank Albert Cotton on February 21, 2007.Officer Fred Kindell of the Brazos County Sheriff's Department told New Energy Times on March 16 that the department has an open investigation into Cotton's death. Kindell refused to answer further questions.Cotton, a distinguished professor of chemistry at Texas A&M University, is known to the New Energy Times community for a vicious but failed campaign in 1994 to revoke cold fusion pioneer John O'Mara Bockris’ distinguished professor title. Cotton objected to cold fusion research by Bockris, also a Texas A&M professor.
According to a 1994 letter from some of Cotton’s colleagues in the chemistry department, Cotton was coercive, intimidating and a threat to academic freedom.Lane Stephenson of Texas A&M University Relations told New Energy Times on March 16 that he believed Cotton's death was the result of old age. Stephenson said he was unaware that the county was investigating the death.The Bryan-College Station Eagle reported the death of Cotton, whom it called "a distinguished professor of chemistry at Texas A&M University and one of the most honored faculty members in Aggieland history."
Chemical & Engineering News reported on February 26 that Cotton, a "world-renowned inorganic chemist, died from complications stemming from a head injury he suffered from a fall in October."
A former Texas A&M staff member reported to New Energy Times a rumor circulating at the university about Cotton’s death. "In the chemistry department at Texas A&M, it seems to be hush hush about Cotton's death,” the ex-employee said. “The staff is not allowed to discuss it.
“Cotton was at home and had pneumonia. He lived out in the country about 40 miles from town. He told his wife he was going for a walk and would be back at such-and-such time. The time came and went, so they went to look for him.
“It is said that he died from pneumonia, but when they found him, he was on his back, and his face was all smashed up. They said it was because of his falling as he was dying, but [because of] the degree to which his face was scratched and marked up, it seems to be a beating.”The former staff member said, “Texas A&M has had no memorial service for him."
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