Works

Works by Washington Irving. Washington Irving's edition presents Life of Washington, a comprehensive biography of George Washington covering his youth, his leadership in the American Revolution, his pivotal role in shaping the federal government, and his retirement to Mount Vernon. The work portrays Washington’s campaigns, political ideas, and diplomatic encounters with figures such as Lafayette, Jefferson, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, Genet, and Knox. It traces the preparation and adoption of the U.S. Constitution, the formation of the Cincinnati, and the emergence of the early American republic. The text combines narrative with letters and speeches, and includes prefatory material and illustrations. This edition reproduces the 1859 edition, offering a detailed, mid-19th-century interpretation of Washington’s life and the founding era, suitable for readers seeking historical biography and American constitutional history. It emphasizes public virtue, civil institutions, foreign policy, and the evolution of a new nation.