Washington Irving

Born in 1783 and named after George Washington, Washington Irving is widely recognized as the father of American letters. The first American writer to live by his pen and the first to have an international reputation, he gave his fledgling nation her very own distinct literature. Best remembered as the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip van Winkle," Irving was a lawyer, diplomat, and presidential confidant. But he was also a fun-loving, effortlessly charming scamp known for his sharp wit and scintillating conversation, especially among the ladies. In this intimate evaluation of a…