Washington Irving

Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American author of the early 19th century.

Related Topics:
April 3 - 1783 - November 28 - 1859 - American - 19th century

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Irving was born in Manhattan. A lawyer, he was a member of the American diplomatic staff in Britain and in Spain. He spoke Spanish. He was a prolific essayist who wrote widely respected biographies of George Washington and Muhammad as well as other historical figures. He also wrote books on 15th century Spain dealing with subjects such as Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra.

Related Topics:
Manhattan - Lawyer - Britain - Spain - Spanish - George Washington - Muhammad - 15th century - Columbus - Moors - Alhambra

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He is said to have invented the literary myth that everyone before Columbus thought the earth was flat. He is also credited with coining the phrase "the almighty dollar".

Related Topics:
Myth - Earth was flat - Almighty dollar

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Irving traveled on the Western frontier in the 1830s and recorded his glimpses of western tribes in A Tour on the Prairies (1835) and was one of the few 19th century figures to speak out against the mishandling of relations with the Native American tribes by Europeans:

Related Topics:
Native American - European

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:It has been the lot of the unfortunate aborigines of America, in the early periods of colonization, to be doubly wronged by the white men. They have been dispossessed of their hereditary possessions by mercenary and frequently wanton warfare, and their characters have been traduced by bigoted and interested writers.

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Irving and James Fenimore Cooper were the first American writers to earn acclaim in Europe. He is said to have mentored authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Related Topics:
James Fenimore Cooper - Nathaniel Hawthorne - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Edgar Allan Poe

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He lived in his famous home of Sunnyside, which is still standing just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The property and the original house called "Wolfert's Roost" were originally owned by Wolfert Acker, about which he wrote the sketch, "Wolfert's Roost."

Related Topics:
Sunnyside - Tappan Zee Bridge - Wolfert Acker

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It is believed that the city of Irving, Texas was named after him, as are Washington Street and Irving Street in Birmingham. His book Bracebridge Hall was the inspiration for the naming of the town of Bracebridge, Ontario.

Related Topics:
Irving, Texas - Bracebridge, Ontario

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