Status Updates From Washington Irving: An Ameri...

50 years old, noshing with the upper echelon of American gov’t. Front row seats to the debates that laid the groundwork for the Civil War. Now asked to write a biography by none other than John Jacob Astor himself. An old friend, of course. W.I plays hard to get though. He doesn’t want to spend a year researching and pouring over Astor’s notes and journals.

“After 17 years, the most famous man in America is finally coming home.”

Wild how so much could happen during a time that things took SO LONG to happen. Can’t wait to see what’s next for old Irving. Next chapter: The Frontiersman!

Andddd POTUS Andrew Jackson and SoS Martin Van Buren come calling. What a turn of events! Secretary of Legation in London, has a nice ring to it. He is officially an employee of the department of state.

What a roller coaster. Dresden was a mess. Ignores Mary Shelley’s advances. Loses $100,000 speculating on a Bolivian Copper mine. Brothers above all else. Love this guy.

Those letters of introductions sure do work a treat! The poet Thomas Campbell proved to be a pivotal character in launching Irving’s career. That first connection he made with publisher John Murray proved to be quite fruitful. (Having the anti-piracy plan didn’t hurt either) It seems chance favored the prepared mind with young Washington!

Dang, the guy experiences “idle habit and idle associates & fashionable dissipation” and then sets off for 17 YEARS ABROAD?!

So much for telling his mom he’d be back soon. 😳

Irving the party crasher. Of course with social skills like that, you should use them to your advantage. Kindred spirit.

Matilda. Knickerbocker. Newfound celebrity… AND he didn’t write again for 9 years after History of New York.

Irving was “a highly sought-after dinner guest and evening companion.”

Wow, the Lads of Kilkenny and Salmagundy. Mary Fairly the “declare belle” AND Burr’s trial in Virginia. Wild.

The grand tour to Europe is over. 3000 miles traveled and he’s back in New York. What a trip.

What a treat. Yet another book I found on the reshelving cart at DPL. Fascinating man, I am able to relate to many of his experiences, particularly dawdling and predilection for Law and love of stories & writing. Though he reluctantly chose law, as he was required to do SOMETHING semi-approved by his father The Deacon.