James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. He lived most of his life in Cooperstown, New York, established by his father William. Cooper was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and in his later years contributed generously to it. He attended Yale University for three years but was expelled for misbehavior. Before embarking on his career as a writer he served in the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. He is best remembered as a novelist who wrote numerous sea-stories and the historical novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales. Among naval historians his works on early U.S. naval history have been widely received but were sometimes criticized by Cooper's contemporaries. Among his most famous works is the Romantic novel The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.
Read more about James Fenimore Cooper: Early Life and Family, Service in The Navy, Writings, Later Life, Religious Activities, Legacy, Works
Famous quotes containing the words fenimore cooper, james, fenimore and/or cooper:
“A refined simplicity is the characteristic of all high bred deportment, in every country, and a considerate humanity should be the aim of all beneath it.”
—James Fenimore Cooper (17891851)
“When the Revolutionaries ran short of gun wadding the Rev. James Caldwell ... broke open the church doors and seized an armful of Watts hymnbooks. The preacher threw them to the soldiers and shouted, Give em Watts, boysgive em Watts!”
—For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.”
—James Fenimore Cooper (17891851)
“In Westerns you were permitted to kiss your horse but never your girl.”
—Gary Cooper (19011961)