James Fenimore Cooper by an Indian chief and who after several years is eventually returned to her parents. Often, he gives contrasting views of Native characters to emphasize their potential for good, or conversely, their proclivity for mayhem. "Last of the Mohicans" includes both the character of Magua, who is devoid of almost any redeeming qualities, as well as Chingachgook, the last chief of the Mohicans, who is portrayed as noble, courageous, and heroic. In 1831, Cooper was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Honorary Academician. According to Tad Szulc, Cooper was a devotee of Poland's causes (uprisings to regain
James Fenimore Cooper Ways of the Hour", authored in 1850. He turned again from pure fiction to the combination of art and controversy in which he had achieved distinction with the "Littlepage Manuscripts" (1845–1846). His next novel was "The Crater, or Vulcan's Peak" (1847), in which he attempted to introduce supernatural machinery. "Jack Tier" (1848) was a remaking of "The Red Rover", and "The Ways of the Hour" was his last completed novel. Cooper spent the last years of his life back in Cooperstown. He died on September 14, 1851, the day before his 62nd birthday. He was buried in the Christ Episcopal