James Fenimore Cooper

Date of Birth: September 15, 1789

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: September 14, 1851

Biography

James Fenimore Cooper was an American writer, born on September 15, 1789, in Burlington, New Jersey. He is best known for his historical novels of frontier and Native American life, particularly the Leatherstocking Tales series, which includes “The Last of the Mohicans,” “The Pathfinder,” and “The Deerslayer.” Cooper was the eleventh of twelve children born to William Cooper and Elizabeth Fenimore Cooper. His father was a prominent judge and founder of Cooperstown, New York. James Fenimore Cooper attended Yale University but was expelled for a prank. He then joined the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, which provided him with material for his sea stories, such as “The Pilot” and “The Red Rover.” After his naval service, he married Susan Augusta DeLancey in 1811, with whom he had seven children. Cooper’s writing career began relatively late; he published his first novel, “Precaution,” in 1820. His second novel, “The Spy,” was a critical and commercial success, establishing him as a prominent author. Over his career, Cooper wrote more than 30 novels, numerous short stories, and several non-fiction works, including a history of the United States Navy.

5 Interesting Facts about James Fenimore Cooper

1. James Fenimore Cooper was one of the first major American novelists to gain international fame.

2. “The Last of the Mohicans” is considered his masterpiece and has been adapted into several films and TV series.

3. Cooper was a critic of American society, and his work often explored themes of nature versus civilization.

4. He was a close friend of prominent American writer Washington Irving.

5. Cooperstown, New York, where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located, was established by his father, William Cooper.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Fenimore Cooper

1. “History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.”

2. “The air, the water, and the earth, are free gifts to men, and the laws of nature are the only laws which ought to regulate their use.”

3. “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference—they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”

4. “We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.”

5. “Faith, while it is above reason, does not contradict it, and it is no less the sister of reason than the daughter of revelation.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth James Fenimore Cooper achieved would be difficult to determine precisely by modern standards, but he was quite successful and financially comfortable due to the popularity of his works.

Children

James Fenimore Cooper and his wife, Susan Augusta DeLancey, had seven children. However, only five survived to adulthood: 1. Susan Fenimore Cooper, who became a writer and naturalist. 2. Caroline Martha Cooper 3. Anne Charlotte Cooper 4. Maria Frances Cooper 5. Paul Fenimore Cooper