American1783 - 1859

Washington Irving

“Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer, and historian of the early 19th century.”

About the Author

Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer, and historian of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories, particularly 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle', which are considered classics of American literature. Irving was one of the first American writers to achieve fame and recognition in Europe.

Genres & Themes

Folk Literature

Works by Washington Irving

Folk Literature

Rip Van Winkle

Traditional folktale

Rip Van Winkle tells the story of a man who falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains and wakes up twenty years later to a changed world. It explores themes of time, change, and the impact of the American Revolution on personal identity and society.

37 minstory

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Folk Literature

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Traditional folktale

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a captivating tale set in a tranquil valley near Tarry Town, where the protagonist, Ichabod Crane, encounters the legendary Headless Horseman. The story intertwines themes of superstition, romance, and the contrast between the rational and the supernatural, reflecting the early American fascination with folklore and the past.

62 minstory

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