Did You Know?
- Rip Van Winkle was written while Washington Irving was living in Birmingham, England?
- Although the story is set in the Catskill Mountains, Irving had never been there until after it was written?
- Irving's inspiration for the story was a noswtalgic converstion with his brother-in-law, Henry Van Wart?
- Irving was so inspired after the conversation that he pulled an all-nighter, and had the story written in one night?
- Rip Van Winkle was published in 1819, a year after Irving declared bankruptcy?
- Washington Irving was friends with Sir Walter Scott?
- In addition to writing fiction, Irving also wrote biographies of George Washington and Muhammad?
- Irving served as U.S. ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846?
- Irving served as the executor of John Jacob Astor's estate, and was the first chairman of Astor's library? The library eventually became the New York Public Library.
- Washington Irving is generally regarded as America's first internationally acclaimed author?
Just for fun, here's a cartoon, Popeye Meets Rip Van Winkle. I guess if Abbott & Costello can meet Dracula, Popeye can meet Rip Van Winkle...
Great post with lots of new facts. I guess he was a starving artist for a while there, too! I can't believe he wrote RVW in one night. Fascinating information and I loved the clip!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a prerequisite that all authors must spend some time as starving artists! :) This clip was fun, not much out there for Rip Van Winkle, believe it or not.
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