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This author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle to begin his literary career at the age of nineteen years.
In 1809, he published The History of New York under his most popular public persona, Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Historical works of Irving include a five volume biography of George Washington (after whom he was named) as well as biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and several histories, dealing with subjects, such as Christopher Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra, of 15th-century Spain. John Tyler, president, appointed Irving to serve as the first Spanish speaking United States minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846.
Chronicle of Wolfert's Roost - 5 Stars Sleepy Hollow [not Legend of but description of the Village] - 5 Stars Birds Of Spring - 4 Stars
Enchanted Island - 4 Stars Recollections of the Alhambra - 3.5 Stars Abencerrage A Spanish Tale - 4.5 Stars Enchanted Island - 4 Stars Adelantado of the Seven Cities - 5 Stars
National Nomenclature - 4 Stars Desultory Thoughts on Criticism - 3.5 Stars
Spanish Romance - 3.5 Stars Legend of Don Muio Sancho De Hinojosa - 5 Stars
Communipaw - 3.5 Stars Conspiracy of the Cocked Hats - 3.5 Stars Guests From Gibbet-Island Legend of Communipaw - 4.5 Stars
The Bermudas A Shakespearian Research - 4 Stars The Three Kings of Bermuda and Their Treasure of Ambergris - 4 Stars
Pelayo and the Merchant's Daughter - 4 Stars Knight of Malta: The Grand Prior of Minorca - 5 Stars Legend of the Engulphed Convent - 5 Stars
After traveling extensively in Europe for several years, Washington Irving came home to his beloved New England and bought an estate which he named Sunnyside. Never to be one whose imagination or thirst for history could be quenched, he did research on his new home, and discovered the legends and folk tales surrounding the place. This was enough to set his pen flashing over the page, and this book is the result. Presented as a series of letters to a fictitious magazine of the time, it recounts the local stories of his abode and the country round, no doubt with embellishments. However, it also gives an interesting view of some of the stories of New England that have been all but lost in this day and age, along with insight into Irving's own love of his heritage.