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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The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated. ~Washington Irving
pinxjordan (Pinx Jordan) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:46:40 -0000
The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated. ~Washington Irving
en ABC: Por primera vez en español, las «Cartas» de Washington Irving http://twurl.nl/osha54
abc_cultura (Cultura en ABC) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:31:21 -0000
en ABC: Por primera vez en español, las «Cartas» de Washington Irving http://twurl.nl/osha54
Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~ Washington Irving
WebSelling4U (Dennis Weaver) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:21:55 -0000
Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~ Washington Irving
...to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving #hariibu
DarrylVirgiawan (Darryl Virgiawan) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:11:53 -0000
...to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving #hariibu
“There is a sacredness in tears...They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love.” -Washington Irving
misscarriemae (Carrie Long) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:14:58 -0000
“There is a sacredness in tears...They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love.” -Washington Irving
@trscoop The book Glenn recommended is not available for the Kindle. Darn. But, they have Washington Irving's "George Washington" though. Hm
Cubachi (Jennifer) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:30:29 -0000
@trscoop The book Glenn recommended is not available for the Kindle. Darn. But, they have Washington Irving's "George Washington" though. Hm

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