Washington Irving Place of birth New York City

Washington Irving

Place of birth • New York City Date of birth • April 8, 1783

Date of death • November 28, 1859 Place of death • Tarrytown, NY Place of Burial • Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, NY

Interesting facts about this author’s childhood • At age 14 tried to run away to sea • Suffered from tuberculosis • Passed the bar exam (became a lawyer)

Place(s) where this author lived. Include dates and influence. • New York – 1783 -1815; 1832 -1842; 18461859 set many stories in NY, esp. Hudson Valley; wrote satires of NY society • Spain – 1815 -1832, 1842 -1846; wrote about Columbus and about Spain

How did this author become inspired to write? • Local history inspired him – as seen in stories set in NY, satires of NY, history, biography; also seen in books on Spain written while he lived there. • He also enjoyed incorporating legends into his stories, as seen in “Rip Van Winkle”, “The Devil and Tom Walker” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

Where applicable, explain any obstacles this writer faced • Tuberculosis • American writers considered “trash” • His only obstacle seemed to be himself, when he didn’t take writing seriously enough to make a living from it (until the family business failed in 1818)

How successful was this author during his/her lifetime? • Irving was the first American writer to be internationally famous • Irving was one of the most famous American writers between 1809 and 1865

If the author wasn’t successful or popular at the time of their death, explain how and why they are still well known today • Not applicable

Why is this author considered influential? • First internationally famous American writer • Created the first anti-hero: Rip Van Winkle (a protagonist who lacks the attributes that make a heroic figure, as nobility of mind and spirit, a life or attitude marked by action or purpose, and the like. ) • Inspired Americans Longfellow, Hawthorne, Melville, Twain and British authors Dickens and Scott • First author to use “local color” (using accurate descriptions of habits, speech, customs & beliefs of a local area)

Identify five (5) characteristics of this author with specific examples. • Generous – helped younger writers • Humorous – wrote satires • Outgoing – made lots of friends in Spain • Politically conscious – wrote satire • History/legend buff – incorporated these into his writing.