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The first important fiction writers widely recognized today, Charles Brockden Brown, Washington Irving, and James Fenimore Cooper, used American subjects, historical perspectives, themes of change, and nostalgic tones.
They wrote in many prose genres, initiated new forms, and found new ways to make a living through literature. With them, American literature began to be read and appreciated in the United States and abroad.
Charles Brockden Brown (1771–1810)
Charles Brockden Brown was the first professional American writer.
He was inspired by the English writers Mrs. Radcliff and William Godwin
Driven by poverty, he penned four haunting novels in two years: Wieland (1798), Arthur Mervyn (1799), Ormond (1799), and Edgar Huntley (1799). In them, he developed the genre of American Gothic.
The Gothic novel was a popular genre of the day featuring exotic and wild settings, disturbing psychological depth, and much suspense. Critics suggest that Brown's Gothic sensibility expresses deep anxieties about the inadequate social institutions of the new nation.
Brown used distinctively American settings, he dramatized scientific theories, developed a personal theory of fiction, and championed high literary standards despite personal poverty.
Washington Irving, (born April 3, 1783, New York, New York, died November 28, 1859, Tarrytown, New York), writer called the “first American man of letters.”The Sketch Book made Washington Irving the first American writer to achieve international fame
Irving grew raised in a culture of indulgence as the favorite and last of 11 children of a Presbyterian father and an Anglican mother. He avoided the college education that his father insisted on for his older sons, but he did read the law on occasion, most notably in the office of Josiah Ogden Hoffman, with whose lovely daughter Matilda he fell in love at an early age.In 1802–03, he produced a series of whimsically sarcastic writings under the name Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent. in Peter Irving's publication, the Morning Chronicle. He took many journeys up the Hudson River, one into Canada for his health, and in 1804–06 made an extensive tour of Europe.
On his return, he passed the bar exam in late 1806 and quickly established himself as a lawyer. However, his main interest from 1807 to 1808 was publishing a series of 20 periodical pieces called Salmagundi with his brother William and James K. Paulding. The articles are important as an index to the social milieu because they are largely concerned with passing phases of contemporary society.
Sought to Entertain Washington Irving was the first American writer who sought to entertain his readers.
His parents greatly admired General George Washington (hence his name) His father became a wealthy merchant He trained as a lawyer but practiced only briefly Showed literary promise early in his life Biographical Information
1802-3 published a series of newspaper articles 1807-8 published the salmagundi papers 1809 published 1st major work – A history of New York It was supposedly written by Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old, eccentric historian This work marked Irving's future course It was designed solely for entertainment It taught no serious moral lessons His fiancée died in 1809 Accounts for melancholic cast over rest of his life and work Writing Career Begins
sailed for England to take charge of family business in Liverpool when it bankrupted, he concentrated on literary career traveled throughout England, France, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland wrote history of Christopher Columbus Career Shifts to Europe in 1815
1819 - 1820 published The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent it included “Rip Van Winkle”and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Literary Career Continues Old Rip
Dietrich Knickerbocker Jonathan Oldstyle Geoffrey Crayon Irving’s Literary Pseudonyms
By the late 1820s, Irving had gained a reputation throughout Europe and America as a great writer and thinker Irving Widely Recognized
returned from Europe to New York established his home Sunnyside in Tarrytown never married or had children for next 25 years he shared Sunnyside with his brother Ebenezer and Ebenezer's 5 daughters Returns to America in 1832
located on Hudson River in Tarrytown, N.Y. purchased by Irving in 1835 for $1,800 originally a two-room Dutch farmhouse over 15 years, artist friend George Harvey helped Irving redesign & add to the original house Facts About Sunnyside
Close-Up of Sunnyside Irving outfitted his home with the most advanced technology of the period, such as a refrigerator (ice box), a cast iron stove, and indoor plumbing.
Sunnyside was visited by many artists, politicians, writers, and other influential people Irving's home was publicized throughout the world in lithographs, magazines, and tourists' maps images of Sunnyside could even be found on cigar boxes, sheet music, and ceramic pitchers. More Facts About Sunnyside
“Rip Van Winkle” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” contained distinctive American settings and characters incorporated German folktales and legends First Genuine American Stories
Irving's best-known story based on a German folktale set in the Dutch culture of Pre-Revolutionary War in New York State “Rip Van Winkle”
Rip, the eternal boy-man never grows up to accept adult responsibilities is a compelling character type in American fiction Rip Van Winkle Joe Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle
Rip is a farmer who wanders into the Catskill Mountains near the Hudson River Setting Scenes from Catskill Mountains and Hudson River
Irving’s Grave On November 28, 1859, on the eve of the Civil War, Washington Irving died at Sunnyside surrounded by his family.
Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. He was buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemeteryat the Old Dutch Church
Genius he had, the nature and the faculty of an imaginative writer;what he needed was not power but opportunity; and at every new chance of life, he answered to the time and place and succeeded.” — On Irving George E. Woodberry
