  Monograph Number Six in The Mentor Reading Course James Fenimore Cooper was one of the most popular writers that ever lived. Almost every American has read some or all of Cooper’s books, and his stories have been translated into nearly all the languages of Europe, and indeed into some of Asia. Balzac, the French novelist, admired him greatly. Victor Hugo, another famous French writer, said that Cooper was greater than any novelist living at that time. Many of Cooper’s readers gave him the title of “The American Walter Scott.” Cooper was born at Burlington, New Jersey, September 15, 1789. His boyhood was spent in the wild country around Otsego Lake, New York. His father was a judge and a member of Congress. Cooper entered Yale at the early age of fourteen, and was the youngest student on the rolls. At college he did not pay much attention to his studies, and in fact was rather wayward. Before he had even completed his junior year, his resignation was requested. His father interceded for him; but it was useless. The young man then entered the United States navy; but, after becoming a midshipman, he resigned to marry. He then settled down in Westchester County, New York. His home life proved to be most happy. He published his first book, “Precaution,” anonymously. Then came “The Spy,” in 1821, a success from the very first. Many novels followed in rapid succession. In 1826 he went to Paris, where he published “The Prairie,” which many consider the best of all his books. He became very popular abroad. The most distinguished people of Europe felt honored to entertain him. In 1833 he returned to America, where he discovered that his popularity was declining, as American critics did not believe that his later books were measuring up to his earlier standard. He resented the sharp criticism of several of his writings, and much ill feeling grew up between the novelist and the public. In particular he was on bad terms with his neighbors in the village of Cooperstown, New York, where he lived. This came to a climax in a fierce quarrel over the ownership of a bit of woodland which extended into the lake near his home, Otsego Hall. Cooper won in the courts;—but the villagers evened things up with him by personal attacks. Law-suits followed one after another. Although Cooper pretended indifference to public opinion, nevertheless he suffered under the abusive attacks. Cooper was not on intimate terms with the prominent literary men of his day. Toward the end of his life he loved his home more and more. He was fond of walking in the woods and fields, and, as he himself said, he had “an old man’s yearning for the solemn shadows of the trees.” On September 14, 1851, he died peacefully in his home at Cooperstown, surrounded by members of his family. PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION |
|
