Elizabeth Cotten was born in Carrboro near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on January 5, 1893.
Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten was born on January 5, 1893, in Carrboro near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Although her birth year is sometimes debated, the commonly accepted date is January 5, 1893. Her formative years in a musical family laid the groundwork for her later contributions to American folk music. Her unique musical talent and left-handed guitar style were honed in these early years, later becoming her defining features. Cotten's early exposure to music within her community deeply influenced her enduring legacy in the folk tradition.