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Title
Country/Nationality
Washington Irving
Irving is largely credited as the first American Man of Letters and the first to earn his living solely by his pen. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow acknowledged Irving's role in promoting American literature in December 1859: "We feel a just pride in his renown as an author, not forgetting that, to his other claims upon our gratitude, he adds also that of having been the first to win for our country an honourable name and position in the History of Letters".
Irving perfected the American short story and was the first American writer to set his stories firmly in the United States, even as he poached from German or Dutch folklore. He is also generally credited as one of the first to write in the vernacular and without an obligation to presenting morals or being didactic in his short stories, writing stories simply to entertain rather than to enlighten. He also encouraged many would-be writers. As George William Curtis noted, there "is not a young literary aspirant in the country, who, if he ever personally met Irving, did not hear from him the kindest words of sympathy, regard, and encouragement".
Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" (1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820), both of which appear in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain that deal with subjects such as Alhambra, Christopher Columbus and the Moors. Irving served as American ambassador to Spain in the 1840s.
Irving died of a heart attack in his bedroom at Sunnyside on November 28, 1859, age 76—only eight months after completing the final volume of his Washington biography. Legend has it that his last words were: "Well, I must arrange my pillows for another night. When will this end?" He was buried under a simple headstone at Sleepy Hollow cemetery on December 1, 1859. Irving and his grave were commemorated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1876 poem "In The Churchyard at Tarrytown", which concludes with:
How sweet a life was his; how sweet a death!
Living, to wing with mirth the weary hours,
Or with romantic tales the heart to cheer;
Dying, to leave a memory like the breath
Of summers full of sunshine and of showers,
A grief and gladness in the atmosphere.
Books by Washington Irving
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” tells the story of Ichabod Crane, sent to investigate the mystery of the headless horseman. The story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town (historical Tarrytown, New York), in a sec...
Knickerbocker's History of New York, Vol. 1
A History of New York, subtitled From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, is an 1809 literary parody on the history of New York City by Washington Irving. Originally published under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, later...
Knickerbocker's History of New York, Vol. 2
A History of New York, subtitled From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, is an 1809 literary parody on the history of New York City by Washington Irving. Originally published under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, later...
Old Christmas
A tale of the quaint and old English traditions of celebrating Christmas. Irving travels to the English countryside and meets an old schoolmate, who invites him home to spend Christmas at the family estate.
Tales of a Traveller
Tales of a Traveller, by Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Is a two-volume collection of essays and short stories composed by Washington Irving while he was living in Europe, primarily in Germany and Paris. The collection was published under Irving's pseudonym...
Washington Irving's Visit to England
Famed American humorist Washington Irving published a series of short stories telling of his adventures traveling from America to England. This volume contains some of his observations about that trip, including his impressions of the English country...
Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent.
The Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent. is a compilation of eight humorous and observational letters written by American writer, Washington Irving, under the pseudonym, Jonathan Oldstyle. These eight letters and one additional were first published as...
Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. is a collection of short stories, essays, and sketches by Washington Irving, published in 1819. The book features a diverse array of tales, ranging from the humorous and satirical to the romantic and sentimen...
Alhambra: A Series Of Tales And Sketches Of The Moors And Spaniards
The book presents a collection of short stories and sketches of the Moors and the Spaniards in the Alhambra palace. Irving lived in the Alhambra while writing the collection, which was published in 1832. The stories are based on the history and legen...
Old Christmas: From the Sketch Book of Washington Irving
In 'Old Christmas,' Washington Irving takes readers on a nostalgic journey through the heart of England during the festive season. Through the eyes of an American traveler, we witness the unique and often forgotten Christmas customs and traditions of...
Cuentos de la Alhambra
Cuentos de la Alhambra es una colección de ensayos e historias que Washington Irving escribió durante su viaje a Granada en 1828. El libro se centra en la Alhambra, el palacio y fortaleza morisca que se alza sobre la ciudad, y explora su historia, ar...
Selected Classics of Washington Irving
This collection features two of Washington Irving's most celebrated works, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Set in the early days of New York, these stories vividly capture the folklore and daily life of the settlers. The collectio...
Washington Irving in London
Washington Irving's "Washington Irving in London" is a collection of essays that provide a glimpse into the London of a bygone era. Irving, an American writer known for his wit and satirical voice, spent a good deal of time traveling in England and r...
Bracebridge Hall
Bracebridge Hall is a collection of essays by Washington Irving that depict the customs, traditions, and social dynamics of English country life in the early 19th century. Through the lens of the fictional Bracebridge family and their surrounding com...
Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey
This book chronicles Washington Irving's journeys to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and Newstead Abbey, the former residence of Lord Byron. Through his personal observations and interactions with those connected to these renowned figures,...
Cuentos Clásicos del Norte: Segunda Serie
This collection of classic North American tales features three of the most notable 19th-century authors of the genre. The stories are set in the nascent settlements and wild, mysterious forests of New England, against the backdrop of the Katskill Mo...
Student's Life of Washington
Washington Irving's "Student's Life of Washington" is a biography of George Washington, providing a comprehensive account of his life and contributions to the United States. It delves into his early life, his pivotal role in the American Revolution,...
Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains
Astoria chronicles the daring expedition of John Jacob Astor, a wealthy New York fur magnate, to establish a fur trading post and outpost of American colonization at the mouth of the Columbia River. The book follows the perilous journey of the Astor...
Chronicles of Wolfert's Roost and Other Papers
This collection of writings by Washington Irving, known for his captivating tales like "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," presents a diverse range of stories. These range from the eerie and mysterious folklore of his New England orig...