Friday Fun Facts!

Washington Irving

America's 1st International bestselling author
America’s 1st International bestselling author

Born: April 3, 1783

Died: November 28, 1859

Wrote: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle, assorted biographies

Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle Cover

Quote: There is a legend that on the night of his death, Wahington Irving said “Well, I must arrange my pillows for another night. When will this end?”

Some Facts: Died in Tarrytown, NY, which is right next to Sleepy Hollow. As America’s first genuine internationally best-selling author.

Irving and his grave were commemorated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1876 poem, “In The Churchyard at Tarrytown”, which concludes with:

How sweet a life was his; how sweet a death!

Living, to wing with mirth the weary hours, Or with romantic tales the heart to cheer; Dying, to leave a memory like the breath Of summers full of sunshine and of showers,

A grief and gladness in the atmosphere

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