The Leatherstockings were a group of characters created by American author James Fenimore Cooper, most notably represented by the protagonist Natty Bumppo in his "Leatherstocking Tales" series. These characters embody the archetype of the frontiersman, often living in harmony with nature and navigating the tensions between civilization and the wilderness. They symbolize themes of individualism, freedom, and the American spirit during the early 19th century. The series includes well-known novels like "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Deerslayer."