Four Famous American Writers: Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, James Russell Lowell, Bayard Taylor A Book for Young Americans

"Four Famous American Writers" by Sherwin Cody is a late 19th-century exploration into the lives and legacies of four influential American authors: Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, James Russell Lowell, and Bayard Taylor. The book looks at each writer's life, from their childhood and early literary attempts to their profound effect on American literature. The book starts with Washington Irving, pointing out his birth during the American Revolution and his family's involvement in the war. It emphasizes Irving's New York City upbringing and the significant events that influenced his writing career, such as his early journeys and literary experiments. The book shows how Irving's early life and experiences helped form him as America’s first major author, using vivid descriptions.