His 1821 novel was inspired by stories told to him by John Jay of Jay’s experiences with spies during the revolution

On the April 7, 2025 episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy clue fell under the category “American Literature.” Contestants were presented with the following prompt: “His 1821 novel was inspired by stories told to him by John Jay of Jay’s experiences with spies during the revolution.”

Who is James Fenimore Cooper?

The correct response was James Fenimore Cooper. Cooper’s novel, The Spy, published in 1821, is widely recognized as one of the first major American novels centered on espionage. The work was heavily influenced by John Jay, the prominent Founding Father and the first Chief Justice of the United States, who had served as the head of intelligence for the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War. Jay’s accounts of covert operations and secret agents working against British forces provided Cooper with rich material for his historical fiction.

James Fenimore Cooper and the Birth of the American Spy Novel

James Fenimore Cooper is best known today for The Last of the Mohicans, but The Spy was the work that first brought him literary acclaim. Set during the American Revolutionary War, the novel follows the character Harvey Birch, a peddler who is suspected of being a British spy but is, in fact, working for the American cause. The novel explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the moral ambiguity of espionage.

Cooper’s inspiration came directly from conversations with John Jay, who had long been involved in intelligence-gathering efforts during the war. Jay reportedly shared accounts of real-life American spies who risked their lives for independence, and Cooper turned these tales into fiction. By grounding his novel in actual revolutionary history, Cooper lent credibility and realism to what was still a young genre in American literature.

Historical Context Behind “The Spy”

Published just a few decades after the end of the Revolutionary War, The Spy resonated with American readers hungry for stories that reflected the nation’s formative struggle. Cooper chose to portray espionage not as a glamorous profession but as a dangerous and thankless task carried out by patriots who often remained unsung. Harvey Birch, the protagonist, represents this type of figure — misunderstood and maligned but ultimately heroic.

The novel stood out at the time for giving readers a distinctly American story, unlike the British or European novels that dominated the market. Cooper’s success with The Spy helped pave the way for a uniquely American voice in literature, and his use of historical realism made the story more engaging for contemporary audiences familiar with the events of the Revolution.

Legacy of Cooper’s Revolutionary Fiction

The Spy became a bestseller in its day and was widely read both in the United States and Europe. The novel’s success helped to establish James Fenimore Cooper as a foundational figure in American literature and demonstrated that stories rooted in American history could find a broad and enthusiastic readership.

Cooper would go on to write more historical novels, most notably the Leatherstocking Tales, but The Spy retained its place as a pioneering work in American fiction. It remains an important text for understanding the early development of American narrative traditions and the literary depiction of the Revolutionary War.

A Pioneering Answer on Jeopardy’s Stage

Monday’s Final Jeopardy clue spotlighted a lesser-remembered yet influential work of American literature. The reference to John Jay’s role in inspiring The Spy reveals the intersection between historical fact and literary creation. It also underscores how Cooper’s novel helped shape American cultural memory of the Revolutionary War, particularly the role of espionage in securing independence.

James Fenimore Cooper’s contribution to American letters through The Spy not only helped define a genre but also marked an early attempt to create a national literature rooted in real historical experience. His novel remains a milestone in the literary portrayal of American identity and Revolutionary ideals.