James Fenimore James Fenimore Cooper

James FenimoreJames FenimoreJames Fenimore James Fenimore CooperCooperCooperCooper

AgendaAgendaAgendaAgenda

Biography Alexis MalaszukBiography Alexis Malaszuk Biography………………….Alexis MalaszukBiography………………….Alexis Malaszuk Historical Context…………Kelly LoganHistorical Context…………Kelly Logan Influences………………….Brian CarroccioInfluences………………….Brian Carroccio Physical Description ofPhysical Description of

Van Wyck House...…Joanna Maehr & Kirsten Strand Van Wyck House...…Joanna Maehr & Kirsten Strand M j Li W k K i i KiM j Li W k K i i Ki Major Literary Works……...Kristin KingMajor Literary Works……...Kristin King

Lesson Plan………………..Kelly Logan & Alexis MalaszukLesson Plan………………..Kelly Logan & Alexis Malaszuk Guidebook………………...Joanna Maehr & Kirsten StrandGuidebook………………...Joanna Maehr & Kirsten StrandJJ Web Site Design…………..Brian Carroccio & Kristin KingWeb Site Design…………..Brian Carroccio & Kristin King

James Fenimore Cooper OnlineJames Fenimore Cooper OnlineJames Fenimore Cooper OnlineJames Fenimore Cooper Online

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Thesis StatementThesis StatementThesis StatementThesis Statement

James Fenimore Cooper was one of America’s James Fenimore Cooper was one of America’s first great novelists because he helped tofirst great novelists because he helped tofirst great novelists because he helped to first great novelists because he helped to create a sense of American history through create a sense of American history through his writings. Cooper was influenced greatly his writings. Cooper was influenced greatly g p g yg p g yby nature and wrote about it frequently in by nature and wrote about it frequently in his novels. Cooper was also influenced by his novels. Cooper was also influenced by

d b l i h H d Rid b l i h H d Riand wrote about places in the Hudson River and wrote about places in the Hudson River Valley, such as the Van Wyck House.Valley, such as the Van Wyck House.

BiographyBiographyJames Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore Cooper

(September 15, 1789(September 15, 1789--September 14, 1851)September 14, 1851)

ll dd Born in Burlington, NJ, to a Born in Burlington, NJ, to a wealthy, landowning judge wealthy, landowning judge (William Cooper)(William Cooper)

Married Susan DeLancey in Married Susan DeLancey in 1811 and settled down as a 1811 and settled down as a gentleman farmergentleman farmer( p )( p )

Attended Yale University at Attended Yale University at age 13 but was expelled in his age 13 but was expelled in his thi dthi d

gg The couple moved abroad, The couple moved abroad,

but he energetically defended but he energetically defended A i d hilA i d hilthird yearthird year

Sent to sea as a merchant Sent to sea as a merchant marinemarine

American democracy while American democracy while overseasoverseas

Served three years in the US Served three years in the US Navy as a midshipmanNavy as a midshipman

BiographyBiographyBiographyBiography Cooper’s views were considered “conservative” and Cooper’s views were considered “conservative” and

“aristocratic” “aristocratic” –– made him unpopular as a social made him unpopular as a social p pp pcommentatorcommentator

His works were more popular overseas than in AmericaHis works were more popular overseas than in Americap pp p His novels are said to “engage historical themes”His novels are said to “engage historical themes” Helped to form the popular view of American historyHelped to form the popular view of American historyp p p yp p p y Cooper died in 1851, and is buried in the cemetery of Cooper died in 1851, and is buried in the cemetery of

Cooperstown, NYCooperstown, NYp ,p ,

Historical ContextHistorical ContextHistorical ContextHistorical Context

James Fenimore Cooper grew up during the dawn of James Fenimore Cooper grew up during the dawn of th 19th 19thth C t h A i p iC t h A i p ithe 19the 19thth Century, when Americans were occupying, Century, when Americans were occupying, clearing, and farming more land than ever before.clearing, and farming more land than ever before.

After the American Revolution “AmericansAfter the American Revolution “Americans After the American Revolution, Americans After the American Revolution, Americans experienced unprecedented and accelerating social experienced unprecedented and accelerating social and environmental changes” and environmental changes” [1][1]


During Cooper’s earlier years, the Six Nations wereDuring Cooper’s earlier years, the Six Nations wereDuring Cooper s earlier years, the Six Nations were During Cooper s earlier years, the Six Nations were still strong, and Indian raids were common.still strong, and Indian raids were common.

“The wilderness was his earliest and most potent “The wilderness was his earliest and most potent ppteacher” teacher” [2][2]

He made a good income selling his works, but was He made a good income selling his works, but was g gg ggreatly impacted by the Depression.greatly impacted by the Depression.

Cooperstown, NY


The Native Americans that Cooper wrote aboutThe Native Americans that Cooper wrote aboutThe Native Americans that Cooper wrote about The Native Americans that Cooper wrote about impacted American fiction, but were wildly unrealistic. impacted American fiction, but were wildly unrealistic. Cooper did not have much interaction with Indians, and Cooper did not have much interaction with Indians, and

those which he described were unlike any that could be those which he described were unlike any that could be found.found.

InfluencesInfluencesInfluencesInfluences

Born in 1789 Cooper grew up in Cooperstown NYBorn in 1789 Cooper grew up in Cooperstown NY Born in 1789, Cooper grew up in Cooperstown, NYBorn in 1789, Cooper grew up in Cooperstown, NY Cooperstown:Cooperstown: wooded hills surrounding Lake Otsegowooded hills surrounding Lake Otsego

Settled by Judge William CooperSettled by Judge William Cooper

Cooper spent a great deal of time exploring the frontier, Cooper spent a great deal of time exploring the frontier, which had a significant impact on his writingswhich had a significant impact on his writingswhich had a significant impact on his writings.which had a significant impact on his writings.

InfluencesInfluencesInfluencesInfluences

Spent his youth partly on the family estate onSpent his youth partly on the family estate on Spent his youth partly on the family estate on Spent his youth partly on the family estate on the shores of Otsego Lakethe shores of Otsego Lake

Roamed through the forests and developed aRoamed through the forests and developed a Roamed through the forests and developed a Roamed through the forests and developed a love of naturelove of natureN id i f hi i iN id i f hi i i Nature was evident in many of his writings:Nature was evident in many of his writings: The Deerslayer, The Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder, The Deerslayer, The Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder,

dd Th PTh Pand and The PrairieThe Prairie

InfluencesInfluencesInfluencesInfluences PostPost--Revolutionary United States (1780s Revolutionary United States (1780s –– 1820s)1820s)

Many political writings produced during this periodMany political writings produced during this period Industrialization changed the economyIndustrialization changed the economy

Transportation flourished (building of roads, railroads, the Erie Canal, Transportation flourished (building of roads, railroads, the Erie Canal, steamboats)steamboats)))

Farming was not as big of an industry as it had beenFarming was not as big of an industry as it had been The changing of the economy and government right after the Revolution The changing of the economy and government right after the Revolution

inspired many political writings from Cooperinspired many political writings from Cooperinspired many political writings from Cooperinspired many political writings from Cooper Ex. Ex. -- A Letter to His CountrymenA Letter to His Countrymen (1834)(1834)

Van Wyck HouseVan Wyck HouseFishkill NYFishkill NYFishkill, NYFishkill, NY

1732 Dutch Colonial 1732 Dutch Colonial

Requisitioned by the Requisitioned by the Continental Army as officers’ Continental Army as officers’ headquarters.headquarters.

Military trials were held here Military trials were held here Orders for the army were issued Orders for the army were issued

from the house.from the house. Visited by many notables Visited by many notables y yy y

including: Washington, including: Washington, Lafayette, Van Steuben, Lafayette, Van Steuben, Alexander Hamilton, and John Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.Jay.

Used by the Quartermaster Used by the Quartermaster Department for outfitting Department for outfitting Continental troops with Continental troops with clothing.clothing.

Van Wyck HouseVan Wyck HouseVan Wyck HouseVan Wyck House

Setting for Cooper’s novel, Setting for Cooper’s novel, The Spy.The Spy. The real life spy was Enoch The real life spy was Enoch

Crosby, whose trial was held Crosby, whose trial was held y,y,in the housein the house

After the war ended, the house After the war ended, the house was given back to its original was given back to its original g gg gowners, and it stayed in the Van owners, and it stayed in the Van Wyck family for 150 years.Wyck family for 150 years.

The old barracks and huts were The old barracks and huts were torn down torn down

Area’s history has been Area’s history has been forgotten by most people. forgotten by most people. g y p pg y p p

Major Literary WorksMajor Literary WorksMajor Literary WorksMajor Literary Works

Cooper wrote more than 30Cooper wrote more than 30Cooper wrote more than 30 Cooper wrote more than 30 novelsnovels Works include:Works include:

The Spy The Spy –– 18211821 The Red Rover The Red Rover –– 18271827 Notions of the Americans Notions of the Americans –– 18281828 The Water Witch The Water Witch –– 18301830

A L tt t Hi C tA L tt t Hi C t 18341834 A Letter to His Countrymen A Letter to His Countrymen -- 18341834 The American Democrat The American Democrat –– 18381838 The ChainbearerThe Chainbearer -- 18451845 The Chainbearer The Chainbearer 18451845 The Redskins The Redskins -- 18461846

Major Literary WorksMajor Literary WorksMajor Literary WorksMajor Literary Works

Cooper also wrote a fiveCooper also wrote a five--novel series called thenovel series called theCooper also wrote a fiveCooper also wrote a five novel series called the novel series called the “Leatherstocking Tales”“Leatherstocking Tales” Included: Included: The Pioneers The Pioneers (1823), (1823), The Last of the Mohicans The Last of the Mohicans (1826), (1826),

The Prairie The Prairie (1827), (1827), The PathfinderThe Pathfinder (1840), and (1840), and The DeerslayerThe Deerslayer(1841)(1841)

Series is about an 18Series is about an 18thth Century frontiersmanCentury frontiersman Natty BumppoNatty Bumppo Series is about an 18Series is about an 18thth Century frontiersman Century frontiersman –– Natty Bumppo Natty Bumppo –– who lives free and “close to nature, while the settlers bring who lives free and “close to nature, while the settlers bring ‘civilization’ that destroys the wilderness” ‘civilization’ that destroys the wilderness” [3] [3]

The novels tell of the clash that occurred “between the The novels tell of the clash that occurred “between the frontier wilderness and the encroaching civilization” frontier wilderness and the encroaching civilization” [4] [4]

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

James Fenimore Cooper wasJames Fenimore Cooper wasJames Fenimore Cooper was James Fenimore Cooper was greatly influenced throughout his greatly influenced throughout his life by his natural surroundings. life by his natural surroundings. This environment impacted his This environment impacted his writings, which continue to writings, which continue to i fl d C ’i fl d C ’influence us today. Cooper’s influence us today. Cooper’s novels help to give us a sense of novels help to give us a sense of American historyAmerican historyAmerican history. American history.

Works CitedWorks CitedWorks CitedWorks Cited[1] [1] Taylor, Alan. “The Great Change Begins: Settling the Forest of Central New York.” Taylor, Alan. “The Great Change Begins: Settling the Forest of Central New York.”

New York HistoryNew York History 76 (July 1995): 26576 (July 1995): 265--290. 290. The Hudson Valley Regional ReviewThe Hudson Valley Regional Review 12 (March 12 (March 1995): 11995): 1--48.48.A ti l id hi t i l t t f th i d i hi h C li dA ti l id hi t i l t t f th i d i hi h C li d--Article provides historical context of the period in which Cooper lived.Article provides historical context of the period in which Cooper lived.

[2] [2] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2000. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 from“James Fenimore Cooper.” 2000. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 fromhttp://www.jamesfenimorecooper.comhttp://www.jamesfenimorecooper.comp j pp j p--This site provides biographical information as well as information about Cooper’s role This site provides biographical information as well as information about Cooper’s role in American history.in American history.

[3][3] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from“James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from[3] [3] James Fenimore Cooper. 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from James Fenimore Cooper. 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htmhttp://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htm--This Web site provides information on Cooper’s collection, the This Web site provides information on Cooper’s collection, the Leatherstocking Tales.Leatherstocking Tales.

“J F i C ” 2002 R i d 3/3/2005 f“J F i C ” 2002 R i d 3/3/2005 f[4[4]] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 from“James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 fromhttp://www.nagasakihttp://www.nagasaki--gaigo.ac.jp/ishikawa/amlit/c/cooper19ro.htmgaigo.ac.jp/ishikawa/amlit/c/cooper19ro.htm--Site provides information on Cooper’s literary works.Site provides information on Cooper’s literary works.

Other ReferencesOther References

“All American: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from “All American: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from J pJ phttp://www.uncp.edu/home/Canada/work/allam/17841865/lit/cooperhttp://www.uncp.edu/home/Canada/work/allam/17841865/lit/cooper--This site offers information on Cooper’s major literary works.This site offers information on Cooper’s major literary works.

“Bibliomania: James Fenimore Cooper.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 from“Bibliomania: James Fenimore Cooper.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromBibliomania: James Fenimore Cooper. Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromBibliomania: James Fenimore Cooper. Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromhttp://www.bibliomania.comhttp://www.bibliomania.com--Site offers biographical information about Cooper.Site offers biographical information about Cooper.

“Bi h ” R i d 3/6/2005 f“Bi h ” R i d 3/6/2005 f“Biography.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 from“Biography.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromhttp://www2.bc.edu/~wallacej/jfc/jfcbio.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~wallacej/jfc/jfcbio.html--This site offers biographical information on James Fenimore Cooper.This site offers biographical information on James Fenimore Cooper.

“Clipart.” Retrieved 3/8/2005 from“Clipart.” Retrieved 3/8/2005 fromhttp://www.webpages.com/html/soundshttp://www.webpages.com/html/sounds--This website supplied the sound clips used in the presentation.This website supplied the sound clips used in the presentation.

“From Revolution to Reconstruction: An Outline of American Literature: Democratic “From Revolution to Reconstruction: An Outline of American Literature: Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776--1820: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. 1820: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. g yg y J pJ pRetrieved on 3/5/2005 fromRetrieved on 3/5/2005 fromhttp://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htmhttp://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htm--Web site contains information about Cooper’s novels and how they portrayed frontier Web site contains information about Cooper’s novels and how they portrayed frontier settlement.settlement.

“James Fenimore Cooper.” Mohican Press. 1997. Retrieved on 3/5/2005 from“James Fenimore Cooper.” Mohican Press. 1997. Retrieved on 3/5/2005 fromhttp://www.mohicanpress.com/mo08002.htmlhttp://www.mohicanpress.com/mo08002.htmlp pp p--This website offers information on Cooper’s upbringing in Cooperstown, NY.This website offers information on Cooper’s upbringing in Cooperstown, NY.

“James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from J pJ phttp://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htmhttp://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htm--This Web site provides information on Cooper’s collection, the This Web site provides information on Cooper’s collection, the Leatherstocking Tales.Leatherstocking Tales.

“Romancing the Indian.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 from “Romancing the Indian.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.htmlhttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.html--This site talks about Cooper and how he helped to shape people’s views of American Indians, This site talks about Cooper and how he helped to shape people’s views of American Indians, even if his takes were fictitious.even if his takes were fictitious.

“The History and Geography of Cooperstown.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 from“The History and Geography of Cooperstown.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 fromhttp://www.cooperstownchamber.org/village/wayoflife/history.htmhttp://www.cooperstownchamber.org/village/wayoflife/history.htm--This site provides historical and geographical information on Cooperstown, where Cooper was This site provides historical and geographical information on Cooperstown, where Cooper was born.born.

“Van Wyck Homestead Museum.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 from“Van Wyck Homestead Museum.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 fromhttp://cityguide.pojonews.com/fe/Heritage/stories/he_vanwyck_homestead.asphttp://cityguide.pojonews.com/fe/Heritage/stories/he_vanwyck_homestead.asp--This site provides information about the Van Wyck House.This site provides information about the Van Wyck House.

The following websites provided the pictures used in this presentation:The following websites provided the pictures used in this presentation:

http://www.hudsonrivervalley.net/images/julynewsletter/image020.jpghttp://www.hudsonrivervalley.net/images/julynewsletter/image020.jpghttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.htmlhttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.htmlhttp://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htmhttp://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htmhttp://external.oneonta.edu/cooperhttp://external.oneonta.edu/cooperhttp://www.artcom.com/Museums/nv/sz/12524http://www.artcom.com/Museums/nv/sz/12524--01.htm01.htmhttp://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Inn/1819/spy.gifhttp://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Inn/1819/spy.gifhttp://www.geocities.com/charlesjthomas5/cooperstown.jpghttp://www.geocities.com/charlesjthomas5/cooperstown.jpghttp://www.baseballhalloffame.org/visitor_info/images/cooperstown_welcome_sign.jpghttp://www.baseballhalloffame.org/visitor_info/images/cooperstown_welcome_sign.jpghttp://www.mightymiramichi.com/gallery/images/Historic/images/Thehttp://www.mightymiramichi.com/gallery/images/Historic/images/The--AlexandraAlexandra--steamboatsteamboat--

(Mi_jpg.jpg(Mi_jpg.jpghttp://www.cadytech.com/dumas/images/mid/mid_james_fenimore_cooper.jpghttp://www.cadytech.com/dumas/images/mid/mid_james_fenimore_cooper.jpg

James Fenimore James Fenimore Cooper

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