Washington Irving
By Ian Ustanik
Basic Biographical Info
Major Literary Works
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a short story by American author Washington Irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity.
Rip Van Winkle
"Rip Van Winkle" is a short story by American author Washington Irving published in 1819 as well as the name of the story's fictional protagonist. Written while Irving was living in Birmingham, England, it was part of a collection entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Although the story is set in New York's Catskill Mountains, Irving later admitted, "When I wrote the story, I had never been on the Catskills."
Salmagundi
Salmagundi was a 19th century satirical periodical created and written by American writer Washington Irving. Written in collaboration with Irving's oldest brother, William, and James Kirke Paulding, Irving produced twenty issues at irregular intervals between January 24, 1807 and January 15, 1808.
Other Literary Works
* The Sketch Book (1822)
* Tales of a Traveler (1824)
* The Conquest of Granada (1829)
* The Alhambra (1832)
* A Tour of the American Prairies (1835)
* The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, USA (1837)
* Bracebridge Hall (1822)* The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828)
* Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus (1831)
* Astoria (1836)
* Life of George Washington (1855-1859)
Common Themes and/or Subject Matter
Irving both experienced and influenced the early stages of Romanticism in America through his descriptions of Nature’s beauty, his utilization of Gothic imagery, and his belief that man was inherently good. All these traits were representative of Romanticism as a whole. Indeed, descriptions of nature are common throughout Irving’s work, being particularly emphasized in such stories as "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.