Joining the Cooper Society

Your membership in the Cooper Society helps to connect you with other Cooper enthusiasts and promote awareness and knowledge of Cooper through initiatives such as the following:

  • The James Fenimore Cooper Society Journal. Our main publication, The James Fenimore Cooper Society Journal contains scholarly articles, research notes, reviews, columns, and Cooper-related news, including information on upcoming conferences and other events. A subscription to the Journal, which is usually published twice a year, is complementary when you join the Cooper Society.
  • The Cooper Society Website. Our website is the most comprehensive Cooper resource on the Web. We have a large selection of scholarly articles, biographic and bibliographic reference information, searchable texts of Cooper works and scholarship, PDF files of Cooper’s works, and more.
  • Conferences. The Cooper Society sponsors scholarly panels at the annual American Literature Association Conference and also supports the biennial Fenimore Cooper Conference hosted by the State University of New York College at Oneonta.
  • Awards. Every two years, the Cooper Society awards its James Franklin Beard award, named for a distinguished Cooper scholar (1919-1989), to a pre-tenure scholar whose work makes a notable contribution to Cooper studies.

Hugh C. McDougall, founder of The Society, particularly enjoyed his role as “Ask Fenimore”, answering questions — simple as well as advanced; from beginners as well as long-time Cooper fans; from students and readers as well as scholars — about any aspect of James Fenimore Cooper or Susan Fenimore Cooper. Although Hugh passed away on March 6, 2021, we happily continue this service in his honor, so if you have a question, just Ask Fenimore.

How to Join

Please use our membership application form at https://www.jfcoopersocietymembership.com/.

Membership Rates

One Year:

US $15.00

Three Years:

US $35.00

Hugh C. McDougall Memorial Lifetime Membership:

US $250.00

Materials are sent by air mail to overseas members at no extra cost.

The Cooper Society is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization and welcomes donations in any amount.

Questions? 

Contact the Membership Secretary at murray@pennwest.edu.

Keat Murray

Membership Secretary

James Fenimore Cooper Society

Pennsylvania Western University

Box 36

250 University Ave

California, PA 15419