Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Washington Irving was an American writer, biographer, historian and diplomat. He is most well-known for his stories 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle'. He also published several biographies and histories. His writing influenced Christmas festivities in the US in the same way that Charles Dickens' stories did in the UK and he is regarded as one of the most important American authors of the nineteenth century, particularly of the short story. Irving was appointed American Minister to Spain in 1842. 

"Your parcel of books reached me on Christmas morning"

In this personal letter from Washington Irving to his friend the publisher George Putnam at Christmas time, the author thanks him for the books he received on Christmas morning, and expresses his gratitude for Putnam's ongoing support for his writing. (In 1857 Irving's "Life of George Washington" was published in New York by G.P. Putnam and in London by Sampson Low & Co.) On the second page of his letter, Irving substitutes the name of someone who appears to have a negative view towards his writing with two lines of dots, implying he and Putnam know who the person is.

Irving writes from his home 'Sunnyside' in Tarrytown, New York in 1852. He never married and in his letter he refers to his nieces who also lived at 'Sunnyside'. 

View Washington Irving's letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: From Library of Congress