James F. Cooper letters

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"186418", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"Berg Coll MSS 186418", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"b23582442", "type"=>"local_b"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1827-1836", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1827/1836"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"James F. Cooper letters"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 folder", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.01 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}, {"name"=>"physfacet", "value"=>"3 letters"}]}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature</span>"}

abstract

{"value"=>"James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was an American novelist, essayist, and writer of historical works. This collection contains three holograph letters, dating from 1827 to 1836, that describe Cooper's life in Paris, France; views of naval affairs; and the writing and publishing of <span class=\"title\">The Prairie</span> (1827) and <span class=\"title\">The Red Rover</span> (1827)."}

langmaterial

{"value"=>"English"}

origination

{"value"=>"Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851", "type"=>"persname"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>James Fenimore Cooper (born 1789 in Burlington, New Jersey) was an American novelist, essayist, and writer of historical works. He grew up in Cooperstown, New York, and attended Yale from 1803 to 1805. After he was kicked out of Yale for pulling a prank, Cooper joined the Navy as a midshipman.</p> <p>Cooper married Susan Augusta de Lancey in 1811. He wrote his first novel <span class=\"title\">Precaution</span> (1820), an imitation of English domestic novels after Susan challenged him to do so.</p> <p>Cooper lived in New York City from 1822 to 1826 and began writing his well-known series of novels, the <span class=\"title\">Leatherstocking Tales</span>. The series, which includes <span class=\"title\">The Last of the Mohicans</span> (1826), focuses on the lives of colonial and Indigenous characters. The novels contributed to the formation of the American frontier myth. In 1824, Cooper founded the Bread and Cheese Club, a social and cultural group of writers, artists, editors, scholars, merchants, politicians, and lawyers focused on creating a distinctly American culture. Members of the club included poet William Cullen Bryant, writer Washington Irving, and painter and inventor Samuel Morse.</p> <p>The Cooper family moved to Paris, France in 1826 and lived in various European countries until 1833. While the family was in Paris, Cooper started writing his sea novels, including <span class=\"title\">The Red Rover</span> (1827), which influenced American writer Herman Melville and Polish British writer Joseph Conrad.</p> <p>Upon his return to New York in 1833, Cooper continued to pen his <span class=\"title\">Leatherstocking Tales</span> and sea novels. He also wrote essays and historical works about the United States Navy and European and American politics.</p> <p>Cooper died in Cooperstown, New York in 1851.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The James F. Cooper letters date from 1827 to 1836 and feature three holograph letters by Cooper to various acquaintances and friends. The letters provide insight into Cooper's life in Paris, France, and New York City; views of naval affairs; and the writing and publishing of two of his novels.</p> <p>Two letters, written in 1827, describe Cooper's move to, and life in, Paris, France. One letter, dated February 28, 1827, written to American lawyer and politician Luther Bradish, discusses Cooper's health and life in Paris, as well as writing and publishing <span class=\"title\">The Prairie</span> (1827) and <span class=\"title\">The Red Rover</span>. Cooper asks Bradish for legal advice about publishing royalties for both novels. He also mentions Sir Walter Scott's debut troubles.</p> <p>The second letter, dated May 26, 1827, addresses American businessman John R. Murray. Cooper's holograph describes his business dealings with Murray as well as Cooper's social life in Paris.</p> <p>The third letter was written on January 3, 1836, after Cooper moved back to New York, to New York State Senator Peter Gansevoort. The missive discloses his views of naval affairs regarding the French navy and asks the recipient for help securing an auctioneer's commission for Cooper's nephew-in-law Charles Vicat.</p>"}

arrangement

{"value"=>"<p>The letters are arranged chronologically.</p>"}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Susan Jaffe Tane, 2021.</p>"}

processinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Processed by <span class=\"name\">Amy Lau</span> in <span class=\"date\">2024</span>.</p>"}

date_start

1827

keydate

1827

date_end

1836

date_inclusive_start

1827

date_inclusive_end

1836

extent_statement

0.01 linear feet (1 folder) : 3 letters

prefercite

{"value"=>"James F. Cooper letters, Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library"}

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