He is known as the first American man of letters: Who is Washington Irving?
With his works, he reflected the social structure of the period when New York was a Dutch colony and compiled his famous stories in his humorous history book titled A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, which describes that period.
The works of Irving, who lived between 1783 and 1859, such as Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Nook, are considered the first stories of American literature. The author, who could not attend regular education due to health problems, worked as a lawyer after completing his law education with his own efforts.
With his works, he reflected the social structure of the period when New York was a Dutch colony and compiled his famous stories in his humorous history book titled A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, which describes that period. As a result of the encouragement of Sir Walter Scott, whom he met when he went to London, he collected his satirical humorous stories and articles in the book called The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon.
Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He wrote the short stories "Rip Van Winkle" (1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820), both of which appear in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain that deal with subjects such as the Alhambra, Christopher Columbus, and the Moors. Irving served as American ambassador to Spain in the 1840s.
Washington Irving, an American writer, essayist, biographer, and historian, made a name for himself with his short horror stories. Irving, the United States' first international bestselling author, advocated writing as a profession and worked on protecting the copyright of written works. The Legend of Sleepy Nook and Rip Van Winkle are the author's most famous stories.
Eight months before his death, at the age of 76, he completed a five-part biography of George Washington.
He was born in New York in 1783.
His works are not read as much today as before, but there are many people who love his stories and essays. Many people enjoy his writings because they find important, accurate descriptions of the world and events at the time, as well as the humor in his works.
In his youth, the author took great pleasure in poetry and travelogues and hated school. His brothers sent him to Europe in 1804. After seeing France, Italy, and England, he returned to America in 1806. This trip further increased his knowledge, manners, and culture. In 1807, he published the magazine Salmagundi with his brother and brother-in-law. This magazine is a periodical, similar to the Spectator published in England, containing essays and sketches.
Irving met Walter Scott in England and, under his influence, took a great interest in American folklore and published Tales of a Traveler in 1824. After staying in Spain for a while, he returned to America and died in New York in 1859.
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Biography of Washington Irving, Father of the American Short Story
https://www.thoughtco.com/washington-irving-biography-735849