Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is 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, Gent. Irving was born in New York City to a wealthy family of Scottish-English descent. He was educated in England and returned to the United States in 1815. He began writing for magazines and newspapers, and his first book, A History of New York, was published in 1809. Irving was a prolific writer, producing works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and travel writing. He was also a successful businessman, serving as a diplomat in Spain and England. He was a member of the literary group known as the Knickerbockers, which included James Fenimore Cooper and William Cullen Bryant. Irving's works are known for their humor, satire, and romanticism. He is considered one of the first American writers to achieve international fame. He died in Tarrytown, New York in 1859.
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