The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories, also known as The Sketch Book, is a collection of 34 essays and short stories written by American author Washington Irving. It was published serially throughout 1819 and 1820. The collection includes two of Irving's best-known stories, attributed to the fictional Dutch historian Diedrich Knickerbocker, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle."
The Sketch Book was the first widely read work of American literature in Britain and Europe. It also helped advance the reputation of American writers with an international audience. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" were the pieces which made both Irving and The Sketch Book famous. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity, especially during the Halloween season.