James Fenimore Cooper

James Fenimore Cooper was a prominent American writer in the early 1800s, best known for his historical novels and his contributions to Romanticism. Cooper was born in Burlington, New Jersey in 1789 to Elizabeth and William Cooper. After being expelled from Yale University for a prank that went wrong, he decided to go to sea and became a sailor in a merchant vessel. By the time he was twenty-one, he had risen to the rank of midshipman in the US Navy.

Cooper made his debut as a novelist with "The Spy" but gained widespread recognition for "The Last of the Mohicans," which is considered his masterpiece and one of the early great American novels. He is also known for his other works, including "The Leatherstocking Tales," "The Littlepage Manuscripts," "Afloat and Ashore," and "Homeward Bound." Cooper's writing was not limited to historical fiction, as he also wrote political fiction, maritime fiction, travelogues, and essays on American politics of the time.

In addition to his writing, Cooper was also a family man. In 1811, he married Susan Augusta de Lancey with whom he had seven children. His daughter, Susan Fenimore Cooper, also made a name for herself as a writer. Cooper's works have had a lasting impact on American literature and continue to be read and studied today. His ability to capture the spirit of the American frontier and the complexities of human nature has made him one of the most enduring and influential authors in American history.