Washington Irving Biography
Washington Irving, though he wrote extensively throughout his life, is remembered essentially for two short stories. One focuses on a man who takes the world’s longest catnap, and the other is a spooky tale about a teacher who loses his head. “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” have become enduring classics, inspiring numerous film and television adaptations. Yet the erudite Irving, born and raised in Manhattan, made his name early with sophisticated satire. Politics and social issues were equally important to Irving. Following his extensive travels throughout the frontier, Irving was unabashedly critical of the United States’ dealings with Native Americans. It was not a popular stance at that time, but it typified Irving’s complexity and the hidden depths of his written works.
Facts and Trivia
- Irving is considered one of America’s first great writers. His name is often mentioned with the likes of James Fenimore Cooper and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- Irving was particularly adept at short-form writing, and many of his earliest works were humorous, often satirical pieces that appeared in literary periodicals.
- Irving served in the military and fought in the disastrous War of 1812. Shortly thereafter, he retreated to England for nearly two decades to help save his family’s damaged fortunes.
- Irving’s story “Rip Van Winkle” was inspired by a stay at his sister’s home in England.
- Later in life, Irving shifted the focus of his writing to a new interest: history. Though his historical work was not always accurate, it was highly romantic, reflecting the movement that would soon dominate literature.
Biography
Washington Irving stands as one of America's inaugural literary figures to achieve fame on a global scale. A pioneer of the short story genre, his narrative craft set a foundation for future American authors. Though celebrated for various historical and biographical works, it was his short stories like "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" that left an indelible mark on American literature.
Early Life and Beginnings
Born on April 13, 1783, to merchants William and Sarah Irving in bustling New York City, Washington Irving grew up amidst the city's early American culture. Despite a modest formal education, his passion for reading and writing was profound. At the age of 19, he began contributing to his brother's newspaper, adopting the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle. Irving's love for travel soon led him to England in 1815, where he joined his family's export business. However, the company's decline prompted him to pursue writing full-time, resulting in the publication of The Sketch Book under the alias Geoffrey Crayon. This collection, rich with impressions and tales from his travels, included "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which soon became American classics.
Influences and Literary Style
Irving held the belief that American writers could find success by emulating British literature. His works, such as those in The Sketch Book, adeptly blended rationality with emotion, intertwining elements from both natural and supernatural realms. The widespread acclaim in Britain and America not only solidified his reputation but also provided him the financial freedom to focus solely on his writing endeavors.
European Sojourns and Literary Output
Following his literary success, Irving chose to remain in Europe for over ten years. While in Germany, he immersed himself in local folklore, which inspired his work Tales of a Traveller, a compilation of various German folk stories. Despite mixed reviews of the collection, it featured "The Devil and Tom Walker," which became one of his notable tales. In 1826, further travels led him to Spain, where he delved into the Spanish language and culture.
Contributions to History and Diplomacy
Irving's time in Spain bore literary fruit with the 1828 publication of Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. This non-fiction piece explored Columbus's exploits, particularly focusing on the conquest of Granada. His achievements and growing stature in the literary world earned him the position of secretary at the American embassy in London in 1829, as well as an honorary doctorate from Oxford University. Returning to America in 1832, Irving ventured into the underexplored American frontier, documenting his experiences in A Tour on the Prairies, which offered many readers their first glimpse into the wild expanses of the western United States.
Later Years and Legacy
By 1836, Irving settled in Tarrytown, New York, at an estate he named "Sunnyside," near the Sleepy Hollow village he had immortalized in his tales. Here, surrounded by his extended family, he dedicated himself to writing, producing a biography of Oliver Goldsmith and a comprehensive five-volume work on George Washington. These later years were marked by literary productivity until his death on November 28, 1859. His final resting place, close to his beloved Sleepy Hollow, serves as a testament to his enduring connection to the landscapes of his stories.
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