At college he did not pay much attention to his studies, and in fact was rather wayward. Before he had even completed his junior year, his resignation was requested. His father interceded for him; but it was useless. The young man then entered the United States navy; but, after becoming a midshipman, he resigned to marry. He then settled down in Westchester County, New York. His home life proved to be most happy. He published his first book, “Precaution,” anonymously. Then came “The Spy,” in 1821, a success from the very first. Many novels followed in rapid succession. In 1826 he went to Paris, where he published “The Prairie,” which many consider the best of all his books. He became very popular abroad. The most distinguished people of Europe felt honored to entertain him. In 1833 he returned to America, where he discovered that his popularity was declining, as American critics did not believe that his later books were measuring up to his earlier standard. He resented the sharp criticism of several of his writings, and much ill feeling grew up between the novelist and the public. In particular he was on bad terms with his neighbors in the village of Cooperstown, New York, where he lived. This came to a climax in a fierce quarrel over the ownership of a bit of woodland which extended into the lake near his home, Otsego Hall. Cooper won in the courts;--but the villagers evened things up with him by personal attacks. Law-suits followed one after another. Although Cooper pretended indifference to public opinion, nevertheless he suffered under the abusive attacks. Cooper was not on intimate terms with the prominent literary men of his day. Toward the end of his life he loved his home more and more. He was fond of walking in the woods and fields, and, as he himself said, he had “an old man’s yearning for the solemn shadows of the trees.” On September 14, 1851, he died peacefully in his home at Cooperstown, surrounded by members of his family. PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 4, No. 6, SERIAL No. 106 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC. AMERICAN PIONEER PROSE WRITERS By HAMILTON W. MABIE _Author and Critic_ [Illustration: FRANKLIN IN 1784 MODELED BY GIUSEPPE CENACHI] THE MENTOR MAY 1, 1916 · DEPARTMENT OF LITERATURE MENTOR GRAVURES JONATHAN EDWARDS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN WASHINGTON IRVING JAMES KIRKE PAULDING JAMES FENIMORE COOPER [Illustration: JONATHAN EDWARDS’ MEETING HOUSE Built 1737--Torn down 1812]