Quick Info
| Profession | Novelist |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 15/09/1789 |
| Age | 61 years (died on 14, Sep, 1851) |
| Birthplace | Burlington, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Date of Death | 14/09/1851 |
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | First major American novelist of the 19th century, known for inventing key forms of American fiction including the Western, spy novel, and Revolutionary War romance. His historical romances depicting colonial and indigenous characters brought him fame and fortune. Cooper transformed novel writing from a polite diversion into a paying career and influenced major American writers including Herman Melville, Richard Henry Dana Jr., Francis Parkman, and Mark Twain. |
|---|---|
| Notable Works | Leatherstocking Tales series (featuring Natty Bumppo/Hawkeye), The Spy (1821), The Pioneers (1823), The Pilot (1824), The Red Rover (1826), The Prairie (1827), The Pathfinder (1840), The Deerslayer (1841), The Sea Lions (1849), and numerous maritime novels |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Institution | Yale University |
|---|---|
| Status | Enrolled by age 13, expelled in 1805 following boyish pranks |
Personal Life
| Residence | Lived much of boyhood and last 15 years in Cooperstown, New York |
|---|---|
| Childhood | Youngest of seven children; enjoyed reading fiction novels and exploring Lake Otsego and surrounding terrain in upstate New York |
Family
| Father | William Cooper (wealthy landowner who founded Cooperstown, New York) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Elizabeth Cooper |
Career
| Military Service | Served in the Navy before resigning to pursue writing |
|---|---|
| Career Launch | The Spy (1821) brought instant recognition and became the first American novel to become a bestseller at home and abroad |
| Literary Contributions | Invented multiple American literary genres including the Western, sea tale, and Revolutionary War romance almost single-handedly in the 1820s; produced approximately 10% of all American novels in the 1820s, most of them bestsellers; established the career path for American writers |
| Total Works | Five-part Leatherstocking Tales series, 27 other novels, and historical and miscellaneous works |
| Early Career | At age 17, went to sea as a sailor on merchant ships, then served as a midshipman in the Navy |
| Writing Debut | Published first novel Precaution anonymously in 1820 after a casual bet with his wife that he could write a successful novel; received little critical praise |
| New York City Period | Moved to New York City in 1822 to further his career; lived there between 1822 and 1826, participating in intellectual life |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Cooper's diverse experiences at sea and in unsettled areas of upstate New York provided inspiration for his work | |
| 2. His popularity declined when he attempted social and political commentary, but readers maintained interest in his Leatherstocking Tales | |
| 3. He is credited with inventing the Western genre, spy novel, and high seas adventure tale almost single-handedly in the 1820s | |
| 4. Cooper originally took to fiction writing on a whim rather than as a career decision, as no previous American author had been successful | |
| 5. He referenced his boyhood home in his novels, with 'Lake Glimmerglass' and the town of 'Templeton' based on Lake Otsego and Cooperstown | |
| 6. His naval experiences inspired his sea tales including The Red Rover (1826), The Sea Lions (1849), and The Pilot (1824), with The Pilot credited as practically inventing the sea novel genre | |
| 7. Mark Twain felt compelled to criticize Cooper's work, famously flagellating him for his 'literary offenses' |