Washington Irving

1
Washington Irving
2
Place of birth

• New York City

Date of birth

• April 8, 1783

3
Date of death

• November 28, 1859

Place of death

• Tarrytown, NY

Place of Burial

• Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, NY

4
Interesting facts about this authors childhood

• At age 14 tried to run away to sea

• Suffered from tuberculosis

• Passed the bar exam (became a lawyer)

5
Place(s) where this author lived. Include dates
and influence.

• New York 1783-1815 1832-1842 1846-1859 set
  many stories in NY, esp. Hudson Valley wrote
  satires of NY society

• Spain 1815-1832, 1842-1846 wrote about
  Columbus and about Spain

6
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

7
Where applicable, explain any obstacles this
writer faced

• Tuberculosis
• American writers considered trash
• His only obstacle seemed to be himself, when he
  didnt take writing seriously enough to make a
  living from it (until the family business failed
  in 1818)

8
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

9
If the author wasnt successful or popular at the
time of their death, explain how and why they are
still well known today

• Not applicable

10
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)

11
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.