Washington Irving (1783–1859)

 

At Washington Irving STEAM Magnet, we carry forward Washington Irving's legacy of creativity, curiosity, and innovation, values that continue to inspire generations of learners.

Who Was Washington Irving?

Our school is proudly named after Washington Irving (1783–1859), one of America’s earliest and most celebrated authors. Born in New York City, Irving achieved international fame for his timeless stories “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Beyond fiction, he was also a respected biographer and historian, best known for A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus.

Early Life and Writing Career

The youngest of eleven children, Irving was named after General George Washington whom he personally met at the first presidential inauguration in 1789. Though he studied law, Irving quickly discovered his true passion was writing. Under the pen name Jonathan Oldstyle, he began publishing essays in New York newspapers and later co-wrote a humorous magazine called Salmagundi. His clever satire, A History of New York by Diedrich Knickerbocker (1809), made him one of the most popular writers in America.

Rise to International Fame

In 1815, Irving traveled to England to assist his brothers with their family business. When it failed, he turned back to writing and published The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819–1820). This collection introduced readers on both sides of the Atlantic to “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” solidifying his place as a literary pioneer. He went on to publish additional works, including Bracebridge Hall (1822), Tales of a Traveller (1824), and Tales of the Alhambra (1832), inspired by his time living in Spain.

Diplomat and Historian

Irving also served his country as a U.S. diplomat, acting as Secretary to the American Legation in London and later as U.S. Ambassador to Spain from 1842–1846. During this time, he wrote several historical and biographical works, such as A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada and The Life of George Washington (1855–1859).

Legacy

Washington Irving spent his final years at his beloved New York home, “Sunnyside,” where he continued to write and mentor young authors. Often regarded as America’s first true man of letters, Irving helped shape the nation’s literary identity and advocated for stronger copyright protections for writers. His influence endures today—not only through his famous stories, but also through the cultural terms he popularized, like “Knickerbocker” and “Gotham” for New York City.

(Adapted from Biography.com, 2024)