Washington Irving

author

Washington Irving

1783–1859

Best known for "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," this early American writer helped turn local folklore and history into enduring literature. His work mixed humor, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place, giving readers some of the most memorable characters in American storytelling.

43 Audiobooks

Bracebridge Hall

Bracebridge Hall

by Washington Irving

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

by Washington Irving

Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle

by Washington Irving

Old Christmas

Old Christmas

by Washington Irving

Alhambra

Alhambra

by Washington Irving

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U. S. A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far West

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U. S. A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far West

by Washington Irving, Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville

Tri Noveloj

Tri Noveloj

by Washington Irving

The Alhambra

The Alhambra

by Washington Irving

Cuentos Clásicos del Norte, Segunda Serie

Cuentos Clásicos del Norte, Segunda Serie

by Washington Irving, Edward Everett Hale, Nathaniel Hawthorne

Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle

by Washington Irving

La Legendo de Dorm-Valeto

La Legendo de Dorm-Valeto

by Washington Irving

Tales of a Traveller

Tales of a Traveller

by Washington Irving

Oliver Goldsmith: A Biography

Oliver Goldsmith: A Biography

by Washington Irving

The Crayon Papers

The Crayon Papers

by Washington Irving

Little Britain

Little Britain

by Washington Irving

Christmas Day

Christmas Day

by Washington Irving

The Alhambra

The Alhambra

by Washington Irving

Cuentos de la Alhambra

Cuentos de la Alhambra

by Washington Irving

Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey

Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey

by Washington Irving

Pokanoket'in Filip

Pokanoket'in Filip

by Washington Irving

Spanish Papers

Spanish Papers

by Washington Irving

Pennsylvania Dutch Rip Van Winkle: A romantic drama in two acts

Pennsylvania Dutch Rip Van Winkle: A romantic drama in two acts

by E. H. (Edward H.) Rauch, Washington Irving

Salmagundi : or, The whimwhams and opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, esq., and others

Salmagundi : or, The whimwhams and opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, esq., and others

by William Irving, Washington Irving, James Kirke Paulding

About the author

Born in New York City in 1783, Washington Irving became one of the first American authors to win a wide readership in both the United States and Europe. He wrote essays, short stories, history, and biography, and is often remembered as a key figure in shaping an American literary voice.

His most famous pieces, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," appeared in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. and remain classics for their vivid settings, wit, and touch of the supernatural. Irving also wrote about old New York, traveled widely, and later served as a diplomat in Spain.

In addition to fiction, he produced historical and biographical works, including books on Christopher Columbus and George Washington. He died in 1859 at Sunnyside, his home near Tarrytown, New York, a place still closely linked with his life and imagination.