"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power."— Washington Irving
Washington Irving
America's first professional writer
Washington Irving was born in New York City in 1783, the same week the American Revolution officially ended. His parents were so excited about the brand-new country that they named him after its first president, George Washington. Years later, the real George Washington actually met little Washington Irving and blessed him.
Washington grew up in a busy New York merchant family. He hated school and dreamed of being a writer. As a young man, he traveled in Europe for two years, then came back to New York and started publishing humorous essays under fake names.
Quick Facts
- Born: April 3, 1783
- From: New York City, USA
- Job: Writer, ambassador, historian
- Famous for: Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving introduced the word 'Gotham' as a nickname for New York City. Yes, the same 'Gotham' that DC Comics later used for Batman's hometown. It came from an old English satire Irving was riffing on.
His Famous Stories
Read Irving's stories on Worldly
Irving's short stories are quick, funny, and unforgettable. On Worldly, every page is adapted to your reading level.
1819A skinny New York schoolteacher named Ichabod Crane meets the ghost of a Hessian soldier with no head, riding through the woods one autumn night.
1819Rip wanders into the Catskills, meets some strange men with a keg, falls asleep, and wakes up 20 years later in a world he no longer recognizes.
His Life, Year by Year
From New York to international fame
Irving's career stretched from the early days of the new United States to the eve of the Civil War. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic.
Born the week the war ended
Washington Irving is born in New York City in April, the same week the American Revolution officially ends. His parents name him after George Washington.
Off to Europe
Washington travels in Europe for two years to improve his health and see the world.
A History of New York
Washington publishes A History of New York under the fake name Diedrich Knickerbocker, a humorous fake history of the city. The name Knickerbocker sticks as a nickname for New Yorkers, and inspired the basketball team name centuries later.
Off to England
Washington moves to England to help with the family business. He stays in Europe for 17 years.
The Sketch Book
Washington publishes The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., which includes Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Both stories become famous worldwide.
Back to America
Washington returns to America after 17 years away. He's greeted as a national hero.
Ambassador to Spain
President John Tyler appoints Washington as the U.S. ambassador to Spain. He serves for four years.
He dies at his New York home
Washington dies at his beloved home Sunnyside in Tarrytown, New York, age 76. He's buried in the cemetery at Sleepy Hollow, the same place he made famous.
His Two American Legends
Two short stories that became American folklore
Most short stories don't last. Two of Irving's became as familiar to Americans as the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rip Van Winkle · 1819
The man who slept 20 years
Rip wanders into the Catskill Mountains, meets some strange men with a keg of liquor, and falls asleep. He wakes up 20 years later. His wife is dead. America has won the Revolution. Everything has changed. Pure short-story genius.
Sleepy Hollow · 1819
The Headless Horseman
Ichabod Crane is a skinny schoolteacher who falls for a pretty local girl in a New York village. One night riding home through the woods, he meets the ghost of a headless Hessian soldier. Ichabod is never seen again.
Influence
He made American stories matter
Before Irving, American writers mostly copied European styles. He proved Americans could write distinctly American stories and the world would read them. Every American writer who came after, Hawthorne, Poe, Twain, owes him.
Wait… really?!
Six surprising things about Washington Irving
He met George Washington as a kid
When Irving was about 6, a maid took him to meet President George Washington in New York. Washington patted the boy on the head and blessed him. Irving never forgot it.
He named 'Gotham'
Irving coined the nickname 'Gotham' for New York City in 1807, using it humorously. Centuries later, DC Comics borrowed the name for Batman's city.
He invented Knickerbocker
Irving published his fake history of New York under the made-up name 'Diedrich Knickerbocker.' The name caught on as a nickname for New Yorkers, and inspired the NBA team's name.
He was an ambassador
Late in life, Irving served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain. He'd lived in Spain earlier and was an expert on its history.
He was the first American to live as a writer
Irving was the first American to make his living entirely from his writing. Before him, all American writers had other jobs.
He's buried in Sleepy Hollow
Irving is buried in the old cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York, the very place he made famous in his ghost story. Visitors still come to see his grave.
Good questions, answered
Washington Irving FAQ
Are his stories scary?+
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has spooky bits (a headless ghost on horseback!) but it's more atmospheric than terrifying. The Worldly version is adapted for kids ages 8 and up, with the scariest moments gently handled.
Did he really meet George Washington?+
Yes! When Irving was about 6 years old, a family maid took him to meet President Washington in New York City. Washington patted the boy on the head. Irving never forgot it.
Why is he called 'America's first writer'?+
He was the first person from the United States to make his entire living from writing books and stories. Before him, all American writers had to work other jobs.
What age are his stories good for?+
Irving's stories work as read-alouds from age 7, and as chapter books from age 9. The Worldly version is adapted to fit each reader's level.
Did he really name 'Gotham'?+
Yes! In 1807, Irving used 'Gotham' as a humorous nickname for New York City, riffing on an old English satire about a town called Gotham whose people pretended to be foolish. The nickname stuck. Centuries later, DC Comics borrowed it for Batman's city.
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