Washington Irving

Washington Irving had a successful career as a writer as well as in politics, but is best known for his writing. He was one of the first American writers to be respected in Europe during his lifetime. His writing career spanned from 1802-1859. Although he is best known for his stories The Legend of Sleepy Hallow and Rip Van Winkle which appeared in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, he also wrote novels and non-fiction.

Major Writings

At age 19 Irving began writing letters about the theater to The Morning Chronicle under the pen name Jonathan Oldstyle. His first major work was the satire on politics titled A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker which became a best-seller. His best known work The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was published in seven installments from 1819 through 1820. His non-fiction was also successful including his final work The Life of George Washington in five volumes.

Political Career

From 1829 to 1831 Irving served as Secretary to the American legation in London under Minister Louis McLane and until McLane's replacement arrived. In 1832 he served the U.S. Commissioner on Indian Affairs. He was appointed Minister to Spain in 1842.

Famous Quotations

"The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land, seems to have no genuine devotees in these peculiar villages; and unless some of its missionaries penetrate there, and erect banking houses and other pious shrines, there is no knowing how long the inhabitants may remain in their present state of contented poverty." — Washington Irving
"A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use." — Washington Irving

Washington Irving had a successful career as a writer as well as in politics, but is best known for his writing. He was one of the first American writers to be respected in Europe during his lifetime. His writing career spanned from 1802-1859. Although he is best known for his stories The Legend of Sleepy Hallow and Rip Van Winkle which appeared in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, he also wrote novels and non-fiction.

Major Writings

</small> At age 19 Irving began writing letters about the theater to The Morning Chronicle under the pen name Jonathan Oldstyle. His first major work was the satire on politics titled A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker which became a best-seller. His best known work The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was published in seven installments from 1819 through 1820. His non-fiction was also successful including his final work The Life of George Washington in five volumes.

Political Career

</small> From 1829 to 1831 Irving served as Secretary to the American legation in London under Minister Louis McLane and until McLane's replacement arrived. In 1832 he served the U.S. Commissioner on Indian Affairs. He was appointed Minister to Spain in 1842.

Fast Facts

Born on April 3, 1783
Served in the War of 1812
Born in Manhattan, New York
Died on November 28, 1859
Named after George Washington
His parents were Scottish-English immigrants
Trained as a lawyer
He had ten siblings
Friend of novelist Walter Scott
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was published in England without his permission due to the lack of international copyright laws

Famous Quotations

</small>
"The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land, seems to have no genuine devotees in these peculiar villages; and unless some of its missionaries penetrate there, and erect banking houses and other pious shrines, there is no knowing how long the inhabitants may remain in their present state of contented poverty." — Washington Irving
"A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use." — Washington Irving
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