Cooper, James Feni more

an American novelist, born in Burlington, New Jersey; having a pa ion for the sea, he entered the navy as a midshipman in 1808, but in three years resigned his commi ion, married, and settled to literature; his novels, which are well known, achieved instant popularity, made him a great favourite with boys, in which he showed himself an expert in the narration of events, the description of scenes, as well as in the delineation of character; he came to loggerheads with the newspaper pre , had recourse to actions for libel, conducted his own cases himself, and was always succe ful (1789-1851).