28 Interesting Facts about James Fenimore Cooper

Dan April 21, 2023

James Fenimore Cooper was an American novelist born on September 15, 1789, in Burlington, New Jersey. He is best known for his novels that focused on the American frontier, Native American life, and the conflicts between European and Native American cultures. Cooper’s most famous works include “The Last of the Mohicans,” “The Deerslayer,” and “The Pathfinder.”

Cooper’s family moved to Cooperstown, New York when he was a child, and he later attended Yale University. After leaving Yale, Cooper served in the Navy before turning to writing. His first novel, “Precaution,” was published in 1820, but it was not well-received. It was his second novel, “The Spy,” which was published in 1821, that brought him success. In addition to his novels, Cooper was also known for his political views. He was a strong supporter of the Federalist Party and was critical of democracy. He also believed in the importance of a strong central government and the need for a standing army.

Cooper died on September 14, 1851, in Cooperstown, New York, the town that his father had founded. Despite initial criticism of his writing style and political views, Cooper’s works have remained popular and influential. He is considered one of the first great American novelists and his depictions of the American frontier have had a lasting impact on American literature.

Here are 28 interesting facts about James Fenimore Cooper to give more information about this American novelist.

1. Cooper was the eleventh of twelve children in his family.
2. He was named after his father, who was a judge and member of Congress.
3. Cooper’s father founded Cooperstown, New York, where the family lived.
4. Cooper spent several years in Europe as a young man, studying in Switzerland and Italy.
5. He briefly attended Yale University, but was expelled for misbehavior.
6. Cooper served in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.
7. His first novel, “Precaution,” was not well-received.
8. Cooper wrote his second novel, “The Spy,” in just three months.
9. “The Spy” was a bestseller and made Cooper famous.
10. Cooper was a prolific writer, publishing over 30 novels and many other works.
11. He is best known for his “Leatherstocking Tales” series, which includes “The Last of the Mohicans.”
12. Cooper was friends with many famous writers of his time, including Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe.
13. Poe criticized Cooper’s writing in a review, which led to a feud between the two writers.
14. Cooper was also a political writer, and wrote many essays and articles on political topics.
15. He was a strong supporter of the Federalist Party and opposed Jacksonian democracy.
16. Cooper believed that America needed a strong central government and a standing army.
17. He was critical of Native American cultures, but also sympathetic to their plight.
18. Cooper’s novels were influential in shaping popular views of the American frontier and Native Americans.
19. Many of his works have been adapted into films and television shows.
20. Cooper was an avid sailor and wrote several works on the subject, including “The Sea Lions.”
21. He had a passion for hunting and fishing, which is reflected in his writing.
22. Cooper’s daughter, Susan Fenimore Cooper, was also a writer and naturalist.
23. Cooper was known for his unconventional spelling and punctuation, which has caused some confusion for modern readers.
24. He was often criticized for his writing style, but is now considered one of the great American novelists.
25. Cooper was awarded the Royal Society of Literature’s Gold Medal in 1826.
26. He was also awarded the first honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Oxford in 1834.
27. Cooper suffered from financial problems later in life, which he blamed on bad investments and the publishing industry.
28. Cooper died on September 14, 1851, just one day before his 62nd birthday.

James Fenimore Cooper was a prolific and influential writer whose depictions of the American frontier and conflicts between European and Native American cultures have had a lasting impact on American literature. Despite initial criticism of his writing style and political views, his works have remained popular and widely read. Cooper’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers and readers, and his contributions to American literature and culture are celebrated to this day.