Washington Irving: 1783-1859

Washington Irving was born on April 3, 1783 in New York, as the youngest of 11 children. The British troops had just evacuated the city and the US forces assumed possession. Mrs. Irving said, "Washington's work is ended and the child shall be named after him." Some six years later, when the first American president returned to New York, then the seat of government, a Scotch maid-servant of the family finding herself and the child by chance in the presence of Washington, presented the boy to him. "Please, your honor," said Lizzie, "here's a bairn was named after you." And President Washington gravely laid his hand upon the head of his future biographer and blessed him.

Washington Irving was born into a well-to-do family, yet his education was non-methodical, and his schooling ended at sixteen. Yet he read, and read intelligently, becoming familiar with the best, especially books of travel, and adventure. He also walked about the city and along the waterside, his mind apparently stirred by the sight of the shipping and the romantic suggestions of foreign lands.

Nevertheless young Irving settled down more or less seriously to a professional career. He began the study of law.

In 1798, he thoroughly explored that idyllic region of Sleepy Hollow, north of New York City, afterward immortalized in the Sketch-Book.

Irving enjoyed visiting different places and a large part of his life - from 1815 to 1832 - was spent in Europe, particularly England, France, Germany, and Spain.

By the late 1820s, Irving had gained a reputation throughout Europe and America as a great writer and thinker.

In 1832 Irving returned from Europe to New York where he established his home Sunnyside in Tarrytown. Irving never married or had children.

On November 28, 1859, on the eve of the Civil War, Washington Irving died at Sunnyside. He was buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.

Washington Irving is best known for 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' in which the schoolmaster Ichabold Crane meets with a headless horseman, and 'Rip Van Winkle,' about a man who falls asleep for 20 years.