James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of
American literature. He lived most of his life in
Cooperstown, New York, which was founded by his father William on property he owned. Cooper was a lifelong member of the
Episcopal Church and in his later years contributed generously to it. He attended
Yale University for three years, where he was a member of the
Linonian Society, but was expelled for misbehavior.