Richard Cottam | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 October 1924 Provo, Utah, US |
| Died | 29 August 1997 (aged 72) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Dick Cottam |
| Alma mater | University of Utah Harvard University |
| Spouse | Patricia Cottam |
| Children | 2 daughters and 2 sons |
| Espionage activity | |
| Country | United States |
| Agency | Central Intelligence Agency |
| Service years | 1953–1958 |
| Military career | |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1948 |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Pittsburgh |
| Thesis | Iran: A Case Study of Nationalism (1954) |
| Doctoral advisor | Rupert Emerson |
| Other academic advisors | Richard N. Frye |
Richard W. Cottam (1924–1997) was an American political scientist, Iranist and a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative in Iran.[citation needed]
Cottam was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission for the Church. He was in the United States Navy during World War II.