COOPER, JAMES FENI MORE

(1789-1851), an American novelist whose works were mostly of the adventure type for boys. He came of Quaker family, and was b. at Burlington in New Jersey. He served for some years in the navy, but he gave that up in 1811, and devoted all his attention to literature. His first book which found its mark with the public was The Spy, in 1821; this he followed with The Pioneers, in 1823; He also wrote The Pilot, in 1823, and it was this work which earned for him undying fame, although The Last of the Mohicans, brought out in 1826, is generally considered to be his masterpiece. At this time C. went to live in France, where he wrote for the National on American questions. Whilst he was in Paris he wrote The Prairie, in 1827, and The Red Rover, in 1828. In the year 1833 C. went back to America and wrote in rapid succe ion The Monikins, Heathen’s Wall, The Pathfinder, Mercedes of Castile, and The Deers layer. In 1839 he wrote The History of the Navy of the United States. The last years of C.’s life were spent in heated warfare with his critics, and lawsuits followed, in which he came out victorious.