His father was an officer in the East India Company and died in 1857,[4] his mother returning to England to live at Hemel Hempstead.

"[12] In the inaugural Test match at Melbourne in 1877 Cooper was expected to be named as captain as Victorians outnumbered New South Welshmen.

[9][14] He helped Charles Bannerman add 77 for the fourth wicket in the first innings, the highest partnership of the match.

[4][16] His Wisden obituary said that he batted in a "very attractive style" with "patience and sound defence" and that he was a "fairly good wicketkeeper without approaching the front rank".

He was in business in both the United States and Australia, eventually becoming a senior official in the Customs Department at Queenscliff and Melbourne.