The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
Best introduction to Irving's signature short fiction, essays, humor, and literary style.
Author guide
Washington Irving Books in Order
Washington Irving (1783–1859) was an American author whose influential early nineteenth-century writing ranged from satire and short fiction to travel literature, literary biography, history, drama, and political biography. He wrote under pseudonyms including Jonathan Oldstyle, Diedrich Knickerbocker, and Geoffrey Crayon, collaborated with William Irving and James Kirke Paulding on Salmagundi, and with John Howard Payne on plays. His later career included historical and biographical works on Christopher Columbus, Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and George Washington, as well as books about Spain and the American West.
short storiesessayssatirehistorybiographytravel writingdramamemoirpoetry
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
A History of New-York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty
Best starting point for his satirical historical writing and the Diedrich Knickerbocker persona.
Read in order
Books by series
collection · complete
The Crayon Miscellany
A three-part series of travel, literary, and historical sketches published in 1835.
biography · complete
The Life of George Washington
Washington Irving's five-volume biography of George Washington, published from 1855 to 1859.
- 1 The Life of George WashingtonAmazon ↗
Book 1-5 · biography · 1855
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Nonfiction (7)
- A History of New-York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch DynastyAmazon ↗
satirical history · 1809
- A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher ColumbusAmazon ↗
biography and history · 1828
- Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of ColumbusAmazon ↗
history and biography · 1831
- Astoria; or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky MountainsAmazon ↗
history and travel narrative · 1836
- The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U.S.A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far WestAmazon ↗
history and travel narrative · 1837
- Oliver Goldsmith: A BiographyAmazon ↗
literary biography · 1849
- Mahomet and His SuccessorsAmazon ↗
history and biography · 1850
Essays and speeches (5)
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Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent.Amazon ↗collection of essays · 1802
- The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.Amazon ↗
collection of short stories and essays · 1819
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Bracebridge Hall; or, The Humourists: A MedleyAmazon ↗collection of short stories and essays · 1822
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Tales of the AlhambraAmazon ↗collection of short stories, essays, and travel sketches · 1832
- Wolfert's Roost, and Other SketchesAmazon ↗
collection of short stories and essays · 1855
Poetry (1)
- Biography and Poetical Remains of the Late Margaret Miller DavidsonAmazon ↗
biography and poetry collection · 1841
