1. Washington Irving

2. Washington Irving was an American writer
Washington Irving was an American writer. He was born in 1783 and died in He was from New York and his parents were British. His mother named him after George Washington.

3. While he lived in England, he published a book of short stories
While he lived in England, he published a book of short stories. This book contained his two most famous short stories, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.” This book made Irving internationally famous.

4. Irving was America’s first internationally famous writer
Irving was America’s first internationally famous writer. He influenced other American and British writers.

5. Irving loved to study history, and many of his works, such as Tales from the Alhambra, mixed fiction and history.

6. Irving first moved to Spain, from England, in 1826 to study in Madrid
Irving first moved to Spain, from England, in 1826 to study in Madrid. He wrote several books about Columbus’ conquest of America. These books also mixed history and fiction.

7. In 1829, Irving moved to Granada and lived in the Alhambra
In 1829, Irving moved to Granada and lived in the Alhambra. He loved Granada and was inspired by the Alhambra. He wanted to write about the Alhambra and the Moorish influence in Andalusia.

8. Irving returned to the US in 1832 and published “Tales of the Alhambra” that year.

9. More about Tales of the Alhambra

12. Irving continued to write until he died in 1859
Irving continued to write until he died in He mostly wrote biographies. He was buried in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

13. Washington Irving had a great impact on American culture
Washington Irving had a great impact on American culture. He invented the word “Gotham,” which is now used in the Batman comics and movies.

14. Washington Irving is famous in Spain, too
Washington Irving is famous in Spain, too. There is a statue of him at the Alhambra and you can follow a route between Granada and Seville of places he visited when he lived in Spain in 1829.