Knickerbocker's History of New York (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

By Washington Irving

Published in 1809, this satirical history of New York—published under the pseudonym of Dietrich Knickerbocker—launched the young Irving to literary prominence and success. "It took with the public," Irving later reported, "and gave me celebrity, as an original work was something remarkable and uncommon in America."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Release date: Feb 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781411437982

Washington Irving

Washington Irving Was born in New York City in 1783. He lived in the United States, England, and Spain (where he served as an American diplomatic attache). A prolific author, Irving wrote The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York, The Alhambra, and biographies of George Washington and Christopher Columbus, among other works. He is best remembered, however, for his two most famous stories, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle."