Mercator Cooper | |
|---|---|
 Painting of Mercator Cooper from the mid-1830s | |
| Born | 29 September 1803  |
| Died | 1872 (aged 68–69) |
Mercator Cooper (September 29, 1803[1] – March 23 or April 24, 1872) was a ship's captain who is credited with the first formal American visit near Edo (now Tokyo), Japan and the first formal landing on the mainland East Antarctica.
Both events occurred while sailing ships out of Sag Harbor, New York.
- ^ According to the 1850 U.S. Census. Southampton, Suffolk, NY, Roll:M432_602, p. 372; Southampton, Suffolk, NY; Roll:M653_865; p. 140. 1870; Southampton, Suffolk, NY, Series:M593, Roll:1101, p. 198