Career
Born in Durham, Trotter was educated at the Fulwell School in Sunderland. In 1886, he began working as a clerk for the Durham Miners" Association (DMA). Despite never working as a miner, he was elected as an agent for the union.
In 1915, he became the DMA"s treasurer, and served in the post until his death.
He also served on the executive of the Miners" Federation of Great Britain on several occasions from 1916 to 1931.