Knickerbocker's History of New York (eBook)

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was a preeminent American author, essayist, biographer, and historian of the early 19th century. Born in New York City soon after the American Revolution, Irving cultivated a fascination with the nascent culture and history of the United States. He first gained widespread acclaim with 'The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.', a collection famous for stories like 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.' However, one of Irving's fundamental contributions to American literature is his satirical work, 'Knickerbocker's History of New York,' a mock-chronicle portraying New York's history from its supposed Dutch colonial roots. With a playful and sarcastic tone, each aspect of the work served as a canvass for Irving to hone the literary style that would later seal his legacy in American letters. His adept use of satire in 'Knickerbocker's' provided a template for future humor writing in America. Irving's impact on American literature was profound, fostering a uniquely American voice in the world of letters. His creation of the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker for the aforementioned 'History' displayed his literary inventiveness, which influenced both myth-making and the personification of an American cultural identity. He served as a bridge between America and the Old World, living a significant part of his adulthood in England and continental Europe. Today, Irving is celebrated as the 'Father of American literature,' a title reflecting his pioneering role in establishing an American literary style distinct from its European roots.