Washington Irving (1783-1859)

He was born in his father's "quaint, gabled house... on Vandewater Street" in New York City. He became a short story writer and the first American author to earn acclaim in Europe. He was part of the "Knickerbocker Group" which also included among others: Fitz-Greene Halleck, Joseph Rodman Drake, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen Bryant, James Kirke Paulding, Gulian Crommelin Verplanck, Robert Charles Sands, Henry Brevoort, Lydia M. Child, and Nathaniel Parker Willis. Irving built and lived at Sunnyside, Tarrytown, and is perhaps best remembered today as the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". In 1996, the village of North Tarrytown became known as Sleepy Hollow in his honor. He had been engaged to Matilda Hoffman who died young. He remained unmarried and didn't have any children.