Fenimore Cooper (1789 – 1851) Essay, Research Paper
Shortly after the birth of James Fenimore
Cooper, his father came into possession of a vast tract of land around
the headwaters of the Susquehanna River and built a mansion by Otsego Lake.
A village grew up around the estate, eventually becoming Cooperstown, New
York. Surrounded by primeval wilderness, alive with animals and still inhabited
by a few Indians, and growing up on the frontier tales told by his father’s
guests, Cooper was able to bring to life a genuine and sympathetic view
of both pioneer and Indian, and a first-hand knowledge of their lives,
lorc and surroundings, to become America’s first significant novelist.