Washington Irving

"Washington Irving" by Charles Dudley Warner is a close look at the life and writings of Washington Irving, a very important American author who helped create a sense of American identity through his stories. It unpacks how Irving became the first American author to become well-known in Europe, what impact he had on American literature and the writing world when he was alive. The book begins by setting the scene for a thorough study of Irving's legacy, positioning him within the historical backdrop of America during his life. Warner thinks about the time that has passed since Irving's death, stressing the importance of re-examining his reputation and what he added to storytelling. The beginning brings up main ideas like how literary fame can fade, the factors that change how an author is seen over time and how tastes in literature change. It also suggests the difficulties Irving experienced during his career and shares a quick look into his early life and the time he lived in, which was full of big social and political changes. This is designed to grab the attention of readers who want to understand Irving as a person and the wider historical and literary setting in which he wrote.