James Fenimore James Fenimore CooperCooper

AgendaAgenda

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 Van Wyck House...…Joanna Maehr & Kirsten Strand Strand

Major Literary Works……...Kristin KingMajor Literary Works……...Kristin King Lesson Plan………………..Kelly Logan & Alexis Lesson Plan………………..Kelly Logan & Alexis

MalaszukMalaszuk Guidebook………………...Joanna Maehr & Kirsten Guidebook………………...Joanna Maehr & Kirsten

StrandStrand Web Site Design…………..Brian Carroccio & Kristin Web Site Design…………..Brian Carroccio & Kristin

KingKing

James Fenimore Cooper James Fenimore Cooper OnlineOnline

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Thesis StatementThesis Statement

James Fenimore Cooper was one of James Fenimore Cooper was one of America’s first great novelists America’s first great novelists because he helped to create a sense because he helped to create a sense of American history through his of American history through his writings. Cooper was influenced writings. Cooper was influenced greatly by nature and wrote about it greatly by nature and wrote about it frequently in his novels. Cooper was frequently in his novels. Cooper was also influenced by and wrote about also influenced by and wrote about places in the Hudson River Valley, places in the Hudson River Valley, such as the Van Wyck House.such as the Van Wyck House.

BiographyBiographyJames Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore Cooper

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

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

Attended Yale University Attended Yale University at age 13 but was at age 13 but was expelled in his third yearexpelled in his third year

Sent to sea as a Sent to sea as a merchant marinemerchant marine

Served three years in Served three years in the US Navy as a the US Navy as a midshipmanmidshipman

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

The couple moved The couple moved abroad, but he abroad, but he energetically energetically defended American defended American democracy while democracy while overseasoverseas

BiographyBiography Cooper’s views were considered “conservative” Cooper’s views were considered “conservative”

and “aristocratic” – made him unpopular as a and “aristocratic” – made him unpopular as a social commentatorsocial commentator

His works were more popular overseas than in His works were more popular overseas than in AmericaAmerica

His novels are said to “engage historical themes”His novels are said to “engage historical themes” Helped to form the popular view of American Helped to form the popular view of American

historyhistory Cooper died in 1851, and is buried in the Cooper died in 1851, and is buried in the

cemetery of Cooperstown, NYcemetery of Cooperstown, NY

Historical ContextHistorical Context

James Fenimore Cooper grew up during the James Fenimore Cooper grew up during the dawn of the 19dawn of the 19thth Century, when Americans Century, when Americans were occupying, clearing, and farming more were occupying, clearing, and farming more land than ever before.land than ever before.

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

Historical ContextHistorical Context

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

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

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

Cooperstown, NY

Historical ContextHistorical Context

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

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

InfluencesInfluences

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

Settled by Judge William CooperSettled by Judge William Cooper

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

InfluencesInfluences

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

Roamed through the forests and Roamed through the forests and developed a love of naturedeveloped a love of nature

Nature was evident in many of his Nature was evident in many of his writings:writings: The Deerslayer, The Last of the The Deerslayer, The Last of the

Mohicans, The Pathfinder, Mohicans, The Pathfinder, and and The The PrairiePrairie

InfluencesInfluences Post-Revolutionary United States (1780s – 1820s)Post-Revolutionary United States (1780s – 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, Transportation flourished (building of roads, railroads, the Erie Canal, steamboats)the Erie Canal, 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 changing of the economy and government right after

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

Van Wyck HouseVan Wyck HouseFishkill, NYFishkill, NY

1732 Dutch Colonial 1732 Dutch Colonial

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

Military trials were held Military trials were held here here

Orders for the army were Orders for the army were issued from the house.issued from the house.

Visited by many notables Visited by many notables including: Washington, including: Washington, Lafayette, Van Steuben, Lafayette, Van Steuben, Alexander Hamilton, and Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.John 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 House

Setting for Cooper’s novel, Setting for Cooper’s novel, The Spy.The Spy.

The real life spy was The real life spy was Enoch Crosby, whose Enoch Crosby, whose trial was held in the trial was held in the househouse

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

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

Area’s history has been Area’s history has been forgotten by most people. forgotten by most people.

Major Literary WorksMajor Literary Works

Cooper 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 – 1827 1827 Notions of the Americans – Notions of the Americans –

18281828 The Water Witch –The Water Witch – 1830 1830 A Letter to His Countrymen A Letter to His Countrymen

- - 18341834 The American Democrat – The American Democrat –

18381838 The Chainbearer - The Chainbearer - 1845 1845 The Redskins - The Redskins - 18461846

Major Literary WorksMajor Literary Works

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

Mohicans Mohicans (1826), (1826), The Prairie The Prairie (1827), (1827), The The PathfinderPathfinder (1840), and (1840), and The DeerslayerThe Deerslayer (1841) (1841)

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

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

ConclusionConclusion

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

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

Central New York.” Central New York.” New York HistoryNew York History 76 (July 1995): 265-290. 76 (July 1995): 265-290. The The Hudson Valley Regional ReviewHudson Valley Regional Review 12 (March 1995): 1-48. 12 (March 1995): 1-48.-Article provides historical context of the period in which Cooper -Article provides historical context of the period in which Cooper lived.lived.

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

[3] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from [3] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from http://http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htmwww.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.

[4[4]] “James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 from“James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/3/2005 from

http://www.nagasaki-gaigo.ac.jp/ishikawa/amlit/c/cooper19ro.http://www.nagasaki-gaigo.ac.jp/ishikawa/amlit/c/cooper19ro.htmhtm-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 All American: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2002. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from 3/4/2005 from http://www.uncp.edu/home/Canada/work/allam/17841865/lit/coophttp://www.uncp.edu/home/Canada/work/allam/17841865/lit/cooperer-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 fromBibliomania: James Fenimore Cooper.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromhttp://http://www.bibliomania.comwww.bibliomania.com-Site offers biographical information about Cooper.-Site offers biographical information about Cooper.

““Biography.” Retrieved on 3/6/2005 fromBiography.” 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 -This site offers biographical information on James Fenimore Cooper.Cooper.

““Clipart.” Retrieved 3/8/2005 fromClipart.” Retrieved 3/8/2005 fromhttp://http://www.webpages.comwww.webpages.com/html/sounds/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 From Revolution to Reconstruction: An Outline of American Literature: Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776-Literature: Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776-1820: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/5/2005 1820: James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/5/2005 fromfromhttp://http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htmodur.let.rug.nl/~usa/LIT/cooper.htm-Web site contains information about Cooper’s novels and how -Web site contains information about Cooper’s novels and how they portrayed frontier settlement.they portrayed frontier settlement.

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

““James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from James Fenimore Cooper.” 2003. Retrieved on 3/4/2005 from http://http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jfcooper.htmwww.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://http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.htmlxroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/main.html-This site talks about Cooper and how he helped to shape people’s views -This site talks about Cooper and how he helped to shape people’s views of American Indians, even if his takes were fictitious.of American Indians, even if his takes were fictitious.

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

““Van Wyck Homestead Museum.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 fromVan Wyck Homestead Museum.” Retrieved on 3/5/2005 from

http://cityguide.pojonews.com/fe/Heritage/stories/he_vanwyck_homestead.ashttp://cityguide.pojonews.com/fe/Heritage/stories/he_vanwyck_homestead.aspp-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/12524-01.htmhttp://www.artcom.com/Museums/nv/sz/12524-01.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_sihttp://www.baseballhalloffame.org/visitor_info/images/cooperstown_welcome_sign.jpggn.jpghttp://www.mightymiramichi.com/gallery/images/Historic/images/The-Alexandrhttp://www.mightymiramichi.com/gallery/images/Historic/images/The-Alexandra-steamboat-(Mi_jpg.jpga-steamboat-(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