Washington Irving, born the year the Revolutionary War ended, was America's first "Man of Letters." As much as the Founding Fathers structured our government, Irving, with his quirky wit, shaped the immigrant American culture. He created ghost stories and myths; nicknamed New York City; and wrote our own version of Christmas. The Short Biographies series from Applewood's Benna Books imprint features short, intriguing, and entertaining biographies of world-renowned figures.