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by Washington Irving
The story of Ichabod Crane, a lanky schoolmaster who competes for the hand of the young, beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. He is also pursued by a Headless Horseman.
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Washington Irving
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Washington Irving Video Channel
Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American author of the early 19th century. Best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" (both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon), he was also a prolific essayist, biographer and historian. His works include biographies of George Washington and Muhammad, and histories of 15th century Spain dealing with subjects such as Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra.
Irving and James Fenimore Cooper were the first American writers to earn acclaim in Europe, and
Irving is said to have encouraged authors such as
as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe.
Washington's home - Sunnyside - is still standing, just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown, New York. The original house and the surrounding property were once owned by 18th-century colonialist Wolfert Acker, about whom Irving wrote his sketch Wolfert's Roost (the name of the house). The house is now owned and operated as an historic site by Historic Hudson Valley and is open to the public for tours.
Irving popularized the nickname "Gotham" for New York City, later used in Batman comics and movies, and is credited with inventing the expression "the Almighty dollar".
Books by Washington Irving published by Open Books
Adopt The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by W. Irving
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