Washington Irving's Birth

Washington Irving was born on April 3^rd, 1783, the son of Orcadian William Irving.  As noted previously in this blog, Sir Walter Scott helped Irving publish his “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon” in England.  The story is told in Samuel Smiles’ memoir of John Murray “A Publisher and his Friends”.

‘…A business in Liverpool, in which, with his brother, he [Irving] was a partner, proved a failure, and in 1818 he was engaged on his famous "Sketch Book," which he wrote in England, and sent to his brother Ebenezer in New York to be published there. The work appeared in three parts in the course of the year 1819. Several of the articles were copied in English periodicals and were read with great admiration. A writer in Blackwood

expressed surprise that Mr. Irving had thought fit to publish his

"Sketch Book" in America earlier than in Britain, and predicted a large

and eager demand for such a work. On this encouragement, Irving, who was

still in England, took the first three numbers, which had already

appeared in America, to Mr. Murray, and left them with him for

examination and approval. Murray excused himself on the ground that he

did not consider the work in question likely to form the basis of

"satisfactory accounts," and without this he had no "satisfaction" in

undertaking to publish.

Irving thereupon sought (but did not take) the advice of Sir W. Scott,

and entered into an arrangement with Miller of the Burlington Arcade,

and in February 1820 the first four numbers were published in a volume.

Miller shortly after became bankrupt, the sale of the book (of which one

thousand had been printed) was interrupted, and Irving's hopes of profit

were dashed to the ground. At this juncture, Walter Scott, who was then

in London, came to his help.

"I called to him for help as I was sticking in the mire, and, more

propitious than Hercules, he put his own shoulder to the wheel. Through

his favourable representations Murray was quickly induced to undertake

the future publication of the work which he had previously declined. A

further edition of the first volume was put to press, and from that time

Murray became my publisher, conducting himself in all his dealings with

that fair, open, and liberal spirit which had obtained for him the

well-merited appellation of the Prince of Booksellers." [Footnote:

Preface to the revised edition of "The Sketch Book."]

Irving, being greatly in want of money, offered to dispose of the work

entirely to the publisher, and Murray, though he had no legal protection

for his purchase, not only gave him £200 for it, but two months later

he wrote to Irving, stating that his volumes had succeeded so much

beyond his commercial estimate that he begged he would do him the favour

to draw on him at sixty-five days for one hundred guineas in addition to

the sum agreed upon. And again, eight months later, Murray made Irving a

second gratuitous contribution of a hundred pounds, to which the author

replied, "I never knew any one convey so much meaning in so concise and

agreeable a manner." The author's "Bracebridge Hall" and other works

were also published by Mr. Murray…’

Columbus Lands in America

"Friday October 12


The Santa Maria, Columbus's flagship

The vessels were hove to, waiting for daylight; and on Friday they arrived at a small island of the Lucayos, called, in the language of the Indians, Guanahani. Presently they saw naked people. The Admiral went on shore in the armed boat, and Martin Alonso Pinzon, and Vicente Yanez, his brother, who was captain of the Niña. The Admiral took the royal standard, and the captains went with two banners of the green cross, which the Admiral took in all the ships as a sign, with an F and a Y and a crown over each letter, one on one side of the cross and the other on the other.


Having landed, they saw trees very green, and much water, and fruits of diverse kinds. The Admiral called to the two captains, and to the others who leaped on shore, and to Rodrigo Escovedo, secretary of the whole fleet, and to Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, and said that they should bear faithful testimony that he, in presence of all, had taken, as he now took, possession of the said island for the King and for the Queen his Lords, making the declarations that are required, as is now largely set forth in the testimonies which were then made in writing."
 
Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador on October 12, 1492, as described in the entry from his ship's journal above.  Columbus was certainly not the first European to land in what is now America (it is believed that earlier visitors include Prince Henry Sinclair), but his legacy endures. 
 
Sir Walter Scott did not write about Columbus, but he was instrumental in helping Washington Irving get published in Great Britain, interceding with his own publisher John Murray on Irving's behalf.  Irving wrote "History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus" in 1828.  Scott's intervention came earlier, when Irving was attempting to sell "The Sketch Book" to various British publishers.  Irving tells of Scott's service to him in the preface to the revised version of "The Sketch Book", published in 1896.  Ultimately, John Murray took on "The Sketch Book".
 
'This [a discouraging letter from publisher John Murray] was disheartening, and might have deterred me from any further prosecution of the matter, had the question of republication in Great Britain rested entirely with me; but I apprehended the appearance of a spurious edition. I now thought of Mr. Archibald Constable as publisher, having been treated by him with much hospitality during a visit to Edinburgh; but first I determined to submit my work to Sir Walter (then Mr.) Scott, being encouraged to do so by the cordial reception I had experienced from him at Abbotsford a few years previously, and by the favorable opinion he had expressed to others of my earlier writings. I accordingly sent him the printed numbers of the SketchBook in a parcel by coach, and at the same time wrote to him, hinting that since I had had the pleasure of partaking of his hospitality, a reverse had taken place in my affairs which made the successful exercise of my pen all-important to me; I begged him, therefore, to look over the literary articles I had forwarded to him, and, if he thought they would bear European republication, to ascertain whether Mr. Constable would be inclined to be the publisher.



The parcel containing my work went by coach to Scott's address in Edinburgh; the letter went by mail to his residence in the country. By the very first post I received a reply, before he had seen my work.

" I was down at Kelso," said he, " when your letter reached Abbotsford. I am now on my way to town, and will converse with Constable, and do all in my power to forward your views — I assure you nothing will give me more pleasure."


The hint, however, about a reverse of fortune had struck the quick apprehension of Scott, and, with that practical and efficient good will which belonged to his nature, he had already devised a way of aiding me.

A weekly periodical, he went on to inform me, was about to be set up in Edinburgh, supported by the most respectable talents, and amply furnished with all the necessary information. The appointment of the editor, for which ample funds were provided, would be five hundred pounds sterling a year, with the reasonable prospect of further advantages. This situation, being apparently at his disposal, he frankly offered to me. The work, he over, he intimated, was to have somewhat of a political bearing, and he expressed an apprehension that the tone it was desired to adopt might not suit me. " Yet I risk the question," added he, " because I know no man so well qualified for this important task, and perhaps because it will necessarily bring you to Edinburgh. If my proposal does not suit, you need only keep the matter secret, and there is no harm done. ' And for my love I pray you wrong me not.' If, on the contrary, you think it could be made to suit you, let me know as soon as possible, addressing Castle Street, Edinburgh."


In a postscript, written from Edinburgh, he adds, "I am just come here, and have glanced over the Sketch-Book. It is positively beautiful, and increases my desire to crimp you, if it be possible. Some difficulties there always are in managing such a matter, especially at the outset ; but we will obviate them as much as we possibly can."

...

At this juncture Scott arrived in London. I called to him for help, as I was sticking in the mire, and, more propitious than Hercules, he put his own shoulder to the wheel. Through his favorable representations, Murray was quickly induced to undertake the future publication of the work which he had previously declined. A further edition of the first volume was struck off and the second volume was put to press, and from that time Murray became my publisher, conducting himself in all his dealings with that fair, open, and liberal spirit which had obtained for him the well-merited appellation of the Prince of Booksellers.


Thus, under the kind and cordial auspices of Sir Walter Scott, I began my literary career in Europe; and I feel that I am but discharging, in a trifling degree, my debt of gratitude to the memory of that golden-hearted man in acknowledging my obligations to him.— But who of his literary contemporaries ever applied to him for aid or counsel that did not experience the most prompt, generous, and effectual assistance!'

Washington Irving

Author Washington Irving passed on November 28, 1859. Irving was the son of William Irving, originally from Orkney, who arrived in Manhattan with his English wife Sarah Sanders about 1763. Washington was born in April of 1783, just as the Revolutionary War was ending. Irving is named for American hero General George Washington. Irving's last contribution as a writer was his five volume "Life of George Washington" (1855-1859).

Irving is probably best known for his stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". These stories appeared in his "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (the Sketch Book)". This work was published in London, and became enormously popular with Europeans. Publication was facilitated by Sir Walter Scott.

Irving met Scott in 1817 through an introduction by author Thomas Campbell. Scott wrote to Campbell afterwards to thank him for one of the best and pleasantest acquaintances he had met in many a day. When Irving couldn't find a publisher for his "Sketch Book", Scott introduced him to his publisher John Murray, who gave Irving L200 for the copyright, later doubling that figure.