James Scott Cooper

James Cooper (1874 in London, Ontario – 1931) was a Canadian bootlegger who gained prosperity through the prohibition era. Cooper became one of the wealthiest and most powerful bootleggers in Canada.

Bootlegging Ontario voted for prohibition of alcohol in October 1919. This law lay out that residents were allowed to purchase liquor for private use only. Saloons and bars were closed, and the only way to consume alcohol was in the privacy of the individual's home. Because Cooper discovered there was nothing to prevent Ontario distilleries from completing any orders not originating in Ontario, he opened an office across the river in Detroit. By taking orders by phone from customers in Windsor, Cooper was allowed to produce and provide alcohol to his customers. He worked on a commission basis for Hiram Walker, and for a director for Dominion Distillery products. On average he managed to make one dollar per case for his work.