Assignment No. 4: Importance of Washington Irving

Washington Irving

Washington Irving was born on 3 April 1783. Irving was the youngest amongst his siblings. He is considered as one of the famous American writers. Irving is very much admired for his short stories. He started his writing profession by writing journals and newspaper service named as “Morning Chronicle” from 1802 to 1803. He also worked as an editor at Philadelphia and New York's publication from 1812 to 1814 (Oakes, 2004).

Irving gained popularity as a grand writer after writing “A History of New York” which was about the late Dutch Pioneers at Manhattan and his pen name i.e. “Diedrich Knickerbocker” became famous enough that New York basket ball team started to be called as Knicks after him. His work on “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent” in 1819 further proved him a successful writer and he was the first man in America who was able to earn sufficiently by writing only in those times. He traveled throughout Europe and worked as a U.S. Ambassador in Spain from 1826 to 1829.

Later he was appointed as a Secretary to the American embassy from 1829 to 1832. He did a lot of historical writing in Spain which includes The Companions of Columbus (1831), Columbus (1828) and Conquest of Granada (1829) (Oakes, 2004). Shelley and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow were considered as good friends of Irving (Oakes, 2004)

Subsequently in 1832 he went back to his hometown and lived with his friends and family. His name was known amongst all internationally. Some of his achievements are worth mentioning, Irving was admired so much in Spain that he got selected in the Real Academia on 1828 (Oakes, 2004). The Royal Society of Literature awarded him a Gold medal in 1830 (Oakes, 2004). He died on No

Reference

Data retrieved from http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=AW116&SingleRecord=true on September 11, 2012.

Oakes, E. H. (2004). “Irving, Washington”. American Writers, American Biographies. New York: Facts On Fil

Marvels of John Colter in West America

The West of America was purchased in 18th century and Merriwether Lewis and William Clark were assigned this responsibility to explore the land. This region consists of the hot and dry areas.

The West of America had always attracted the explorers and Hohn Colter was one of them, he was a brave and smart explorer. His name is taken amongst the most magnificent Mountain Men.

Colter was born in Virginia, 1775. He signed the expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1803 to explore West of America. Finally Colter began his journey to West in 1806, the main purpose was to search Native Americans and to trade, which was supported by St. Louis suppliers. Colter faced hardships and hunger but continued his search and discovered Yellowstone River along other explorers in 1809 and was stricken by Indians, he had to win a fight against them and somehow he ran from there and became one of the stars of West America Fantasies. The parts in West founded by him include Jackson's Hole and Yellowstone National Park. His wonders became a true inspiration for ...