A classic of American literature, “Rip Van Winkle” stays one of Washington Irving’s most enduring and beloved stories. A tale of a man who falls asleep in the Catskill mountains and awakens decades later, Irving explores the threads between the passage of time and a young nation. With the combination of folklore and humor, Irving urges readers to reflect on personal and national transformation.
As a Hudson Valley local, Washington Irving is a particularly special figure to the Press. The Thornwillow edition of “Rip Van Winkle” features a brand new introduction by Waddell Stillman, president of Historic Hudson Valley, as well as several drawings from the Historic American Building Survey depicting Washington Irving’s estate, Sunnyside—located just down the river from the Press.
Washington Irving, author of the fabled tales of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, was one of the first American authors to achieve international success and one of the greatest influences in establishing a unique mythology during our nation’s formative years. Irving is known for his graceful humor and usage of folklore, exploring themes of history and identity in the context of a young American society.
Born in New York City in 1783, Irving was the first American writer to achieve international literary acclaim. After spending many years in Europe, where he worked as a diplomat, his career as an author shaped American literature into what we know it to be today, and his stories are widely appreciated as classics for their charm and imagination.
