Washington Irving1783-1859

Beginnings… Named after the 1st American president Born into a wealthy family Began studying law at 16, but was more

interested in travel and writing

Wrote satirical essays using the pen name Jonathan Oldstyle

Began publishing the humor magazine Salmagunde anonymously with his brother at the age of 24

Published his first major work, A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker in 1809

This book was popular and made Irving famous

Irving lived in Europe from 1815 to 1832, but remained a devoted American

Two of his most famous stories, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle” were inspired by German folk tales.

Irving published the two stories in Sketchbook in 1820, which also became popular

“The Devil and Tom Walker” is an adaptation of a German legend about a man who sells his soul to the devil and was published in his book Tales of the Traveler in 1824