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

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

3. 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.”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 in 21 volumes.