The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon Gent. was written by Washington Irving in .
The Sketchbook was written largely in England, at first as .
Irving was inheriting the family law business from his infirm brother. Rankling under the .
confines of business that can seem insufferable to the creative mind, Irving turned his full .
energy to writing. An American author, Irving was a short story writer, essayist, poet, .
travel book writer, biographer, and columnist, best known for the short stories.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". These stories can be .
found in the Sketchbook along with about twenty-eight more. The Sketchbook of Geoffrey .
Crayon Gent. established Irving as one of the first literary artists of the United States. .
The Sketchbook really stands for the "sketches" of various stories featured. Every .
"sketch" is preceded by a poem. About five stories have the word "Christmas" in their .
title. Stories such as the delightful Christmas cycle; the numerous sketches contrast .
Irving's love and ridicule of the English with their ancient customs (which Irving .
commends), and their increasing acceptance to modern fashion (which he abhors). The .
Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon Gent. allowed him to become a full-time writer. In 1822 .
appeared a sequel to The Sketch Book, which was called Bracebridge Hall. Washington .
Irving was one of the most fascinating tale tellers of his day. That comes across well in .
the Sketchbook, where we also get an idea of the wicked, mischievous sense of humor, .
that impeccable feeling for satire that Irving could deploy. These sketches reflect a man .
passionate about many things according to the variety of topics and ideas that he came up .
with in one solitary work.
.