author
Thomas V. (Thomas Valentine) Cooper
1835–1909
A 19th-century newspaper editor and public official, he is best remembered for compiling a sweeping reference to American political history, speeches, parties, and laws. His work captures how politics was explained to readers of his time: broad, practical, and intensely documented.
1 Audiobook
American politics (non-partisan) from the beginning to date : embodying a history of all the political parties, with their views and records on all important questions. Great speeches on all great issues, and tabulated history and chronological events.
by Thomas V. (Thomas Valentine) Cooper, Hector T. (Hector Tyndale) Fenton
About the author
Born in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1835, Thomas Valentine Cooper built a career that mixed journalism, public service, and political writing. He worked for many years as editor of the Delaware County American in Pennsylvania, and he also served in the Civil War before going on to hold state and federal posts, including service in the Pennsylvania legislature.
As an author, he is most closely associated with American Politics (Non-Partisan) from the Beginning to Date, a large reference work created with Hector T. Fenton. The book gathered party histories, major speeches, political laws, and chronological events into one volume, making it a useful guide for readers who wanted a broad view of American public life in the late 19th century.
Cooper died in 1909. Though he is often remembered as a politician, his writing stands out for the same reason his public career does: a strong interest in organizing civic information and making politics legible to ordinary readers.