James Fenimore Cooper Biography

(1789-1851) American writer. James Fenimore Cooper is a famous Romantic novel in American literature. He's known for works of historical fiction, including The Last of the Mohicans, The Spy, and the Leatherstocking series. He's recognized as a notable, representative writer in 19th-century American fiction.

James Fenimore Cooper was born on September 15, 1789 in Burlington, New Jersey. His parents were Judge William Cooper,a US Congressman, and Elisabeth Fenimore Cooper.

He attended the village school and spent a great deal of time on the family estate, on the shores of Otsego Lake. His early experiences in nature would later inform his famous American novels.

He attended the local school, and later attended Yale University (until he was kicked out for playing pranks).

Cooper died of dropsy at Otsego Hall on September 14, 1851. He was buried at the Christ Episcopal Churchyard. In A Prairie, he wrote, "A valiant, a just, and a wise warrior, has gone on the path which will lead him to the blessed grounds of his people!"

Cooper married Susan Augusta De Lancey in 1811. (His father had died in 1809, which made him independently wealthy). He and Susan had seven children.

After leaving Yale, Cooper joined the Navy and served a number of years at sea. He would later draw upon these experiences in his sea literature. He resigned his commission in 1809 when he received his inheritance.

Cooper started his writing career upon his wife's urging/challenge. His first book, Precaution, was anonymously published in 1820. The scope of his literary oeuvre was extensive (list of works, but he's most famous for The Last of the Mohicans.