Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American author of the early 19th century. He is perhaps best known for his short stories, his most famous being The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip van Winkle (both appearing in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon), but he was a prolific writer of essays, biographies, and other forms as well. He and James Fenimore Cooper were the first American writers to earn acclaim in Europe, and Irving is said to have mentored authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Irving was born in Manhattan. A lawyer, he was a member of the American diplomatic staff in Britain and in Spain. He spoke fluent Spanish, which served him well in his writings on that country, and he could read several other languages, including German and Dutch. He was a prolific essayist who wrote widely respected biographies of George Washington, Muhammad, and others, and he wrote a number of books on 15th century Spain dealing with subjects such as Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra. While in Europe as a young man, Irving dabbled in the theatre and even served as manager of the famed Globe for a period of time.

Irving traveled on the Western frontier in the 1830s and recorded his glimpses of western tribes in A Tour on the Prairies (1835). He was noted for speaking against the mishandling of relations with the Native American tribes by Europeans and Americans:

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RT @successsecret: "Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." Washington Irving
PorschaDlyte (PorschaDlyte) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:14:47 -0000
RT @successsecret: "Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." Washington Irving
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~ Washington Irving
PinarAkal1 (Pinar Akal) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:18:37 -0000
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~ Washington Irving
RT @successsecret: "Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." Washington Irving
silviasiantar (Silvia Siantar) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:38:56 -0000
RT @successsecret: "Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." Washington Irving
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them. Washington Irving
adv3ntur3 (A D) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:41 -0000
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them. Washington Irving
Thought for the day...."A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles." - Washington Irving
imaGlobeTrekker (Alicia) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:32:06 -0000
Thought for the day...."A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles." - Washington Irving
Do I really have to finish that today? Can't I just be done with everything and read Washington Irving until I fall asleep?
delal (delal) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:36:52 -0000
Do I really have to finish that today? Can't I just be done with everything and read Washington Irving until I fall asleep?

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