Washington Irving Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was a renowned American short story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories “Rip Van Winkle” (1819) and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1820), both of which appear in his collection “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.”Born in New York City, Irving made multiple trips to Europe throughout his life. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846. His writings were popular both in the United States and Europe, and he is considered one of the first American writers to earn acclaim in Europe.The blue plaque at 8 Argyll Street in London commemorates Irving’s time living at this address. Argyll Street is located in the City of Westminster, an area of Central London known for its vibrant mix of theaters, shops, and restaurants. Irving’s residency here highlights the strong cultural ties between the United States and England during the 19th century.Irving’s influence extended beyond just literature. He advocated for writing as a legitimate profession and argued for stronger laws to protect American writers from copyright infringement in an era when the publishing industry was poorly regulated. His legacy paved the way for future generations of American writers.