Washington Irving “I am always at a loss to know how much to believe of my own stories.” (from Tales of a Traveler, 1824)

Irving Has Been Called: American author Short story writer Essayist Poet Travel book writer Biographer Columnist

Irving’s Life Born in New York City, 1783 Youngest of 11 siblings Named after…….? Met George Washington, who gave Irving his blessing Irving then wrote, “The Life of George Washington.”

Irving’s Career Began as a writer for journals and newspapers Wrote “A History of New York”, a comical book, under the name “Dietrich Knickerbocker.” He then wrote a collection of stories, “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” Concentrated a lot on historical writings

Interesting Facts Considered one of America’s first great writers along with Nathaniel Hawthorne and James Fennimore Cooper Irving was particularly good at short-form writing that consisted of humor and satire which he published in literary articles Fought in the War of 1812 and shortly after, returned to England for two decades to help his family salvage their damages Irving’s story “Rip Van Winkle” was inspired by a stay at his sister’s home in England. Later in life, shifted focus of writing to history and although it was not always accurate, it was highly romantic

Most Famous Works: The Adventure of the German Student The Broken Heart The Devil and Tom Walker The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Rip Van Winkle The Voyage Roscoe The Widow and Her Son

Death of the “Father of the American Short Story” Irving died in Tarrytown on November 28, 1859. Last words before going to bed: “Well, I must arrange my pillows for another weary night! If this could only end!” His major works were then published in 1860-61 in 21 volumes.