THE IRVING LEGEND

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was one of the first American authors to win recognition in Europe as well as the United States. He became famous for his humorous stories and for his satirical essays, which poked fun at New York City's fashionable society. At various times, Irving also was a lawyer, a businessman and a United States diplomat to England and Spain. Irving's best-known works include two short stories, Rip Van Winkle and The legend of Sleepy Hollow. In Rip Van Winkle, the title character falls asleep for 20 years and awakens to find everything different. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the tale of Ichabod Crane, a poor schoolmaster, and his encounter with a headless horseman.