Washington Irving

American writer, historian and diplomat (1783-1859)

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About

Washington Irving, born in New York in 1783, is regarded as the first American writer to achieve international fame and to support himself solely by writing. His collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819-1820) contains two of his most famous short stories, 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' often considered the first American short stories. He also wrote a satirical A History of New York (1809) and tales inspired by his travels in Spain, such as Tales of the Alhambra (1832). Irving served as a U.S. diplomat in Spain and spent his later years at his Sunnyside estate in Tarrytown, where he died in 1859.

* 1783-04-03 — † 1859-11-28

Major works

A History of New York (1809)satirical novel
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819-1820)short story collection
Bracebridge Hall (1822)short story collection
Tales of the Alhambra (1832)tale collection
Life of George Washington (1855-1859)biography

Key milestones

1826-1829Attaché to the American legation in Madrid.
1835Purchased his Sunnyside estate in Tarrytown, New York.
1842-1846U.S. Minister (Ambassador) to Spain.

Themes

American history and legendsSocial and political satireTravel and exoticismThe supernatural and the fantasticAmerican national identity

Sources: britannica.com · loc.gov · npgallery.nps.gov

“A woman's guess is much more accurate than a man's certainty.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Wisdom

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“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Spirituality

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“Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Motivation

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“mn Great Minds Page 125 Great minds have purpose, while others just have wishes.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Motivation

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“Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Motivation

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“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.”

— Washington IrvingTheme · Literature

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