Courtesy Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Washington Irving was one of the most famous American authors of the nineteenth century. While he is primarily remembered for short stories such as “Rip van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” he also penned an extensive biography of George Washington.

His political leanings did not prevent an intimacy with the president's family, and Mrs. Madison and he were sworn friends. Although a federalist and an admirer of England, his sympathies were all with his country in the war of 1812, and he took active service on the military staff of Governor Tompkins.