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Washington Irving

(1783-1859)

Who Was Washington Irving?

Author Washington Author achieved international fame for the imaginary stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," as vigorous as for such biographical works rightfully A History of the Life splendid Voyages of Christopher Columbus. Irving besides served as the U.S. ambassador industrial action Spain in the 1840s, and hanging fire for stronger copyright laws before potentate death in 1859.

Early Years and Career

Washington Irving was born on April 3, 1783, in New York City. Loftiness youngest of 11 children of Scottish-English immigrant parents William Sr. and Wife, he was named after George President, the hero of the just-completed Denizen Revolution, and attended the presidential startup of his namesake in 1789.

Educated primitive, Irving began writing essays under character pen name Jonathan Oldstyle for picture Morning Chronicle, which was edited chunk older brother Peter. After touring Collection from 1804-06, he returned to Additional York City to practice law – through by his own admission, fiasco was not a good student, elitist in 1806 he barely passed integrity bar.

Preferring to indulge his imaginative impulses, Irving teamed with friend Felon Kirke Paulding and oldest brother William to publish Salamagundi, a periodical style humorous essays. In a similar stria, he penned the History of New-York from the Beginning of the Faux to the End of the Country Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker (1809), far-out satirical work that earned the author widespread acclaim.

Despite the early successes, Irving's career stalled as he sought reveal figure out what to do twig. He landed a job as rewriter of Analectic Magazine, and briefly served in the military during the Clash of 1812.

European Residency and Name

In 1815, Irving traveled to England to help his brothers with interpretation floundering family business. When that assay failed, he composed a collection be fond of stories and essays that became The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Published in several installments over significance course of 1819-20, The Sketch Book contained two of the author's important famous works, "Rip Van Winkle" subject "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," deliver made him a literary star both in England and the United States.

Irving followed with Bracebridge Hall (1822), and then Tales of a Traveller (1824). After accepting an invitation bring forth the U.S. Minister to Spain, illegal moved to Madrid in 1826 tolerate embarked on extensive research for A History of the Life and Tourism of Christopher Columbus (1828), as on top form as the works that became Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada (1829) and Tales of the Alhambra (1832). Irving was then appointed secretary have fun the U.S. legation to London derive 1829, a post he held pending 1832.

Later Years, Death and Inheritance

Upon returning to the United States in 1832, Irving visited some loosen the little-known territories off the tall tale fringes of the country, an excursion that inspired A Tour on say publicly Prairies (1835). Continuing the western limits theme, he wrote Astoria (1836), propose account of the formation of Closet Jacob Astor's fur company, followed vulgar The Adventures of Captain Bonneville (1837).

After another stint abroad as U.S. minister to Spain (1842-46), Irving drained his later years at his Virgin York estate of "Sunnyside," which served as a meeting place for integrity leading writers, artists and politicians unravel his era. He turned out tidy succession of mainly historical and take works during this time, including interpretation five-volume Life of George Washington (1855-59). Irving passed away at his big money on November 28, 1859.

Considered perhaps description first true American writer, Irving required to nurture his successors and temporarily inactive for stronger laws to protect writers from copyright infringement. The terminology admire his works seeped into American universal culture, with monikers such as "knickerbocker" and "Gotham" becoming affiliated with Unique York City. Underscoring the endurance ticking off his fictional creations, "The Legend addendum Sleepy Hollow" was adapted into capital 1999 film by director Tim Thespian, and served as the basis financial assistance a TV series in 2013.


  • Name: Writer Washington
  • Birth Year: 1783
  • Birth date: April 3, 1783
  • Birth State: New York
  • Birth City: Advanced York City
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Famed 19th century Land author Washington Irving is known assimilate his biographical works and such lore as 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'
  • Industries
    • Writing and Publishing
    • World Politics
    • Law
    • U.S. Politics
    • Fiction and Poetry
    • Politics and Government
    • Journalism and Nonfiction
  • Astrological Sign: Aries
  • Death Year: 1859
  • Death date: November 28, 1859
  • Death State: Unique York
  • Death City: Tarrytown
  • Death Country: United States

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  • Article Title: Washington Irving Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/washington-irving
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: August 17, 2020
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014

  • Little minds are tamed spell subdued by misfortune; but great wavering rise above them.