Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey is beautifully written by one of America's best loved authors. Washington Irving (1783 - 1859) was an American author known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. Irving was also an essayist, historian and biographer. Irving was the first American writer to gain fame in Europe. Irving gives an account of his time at Abbotsford. He talks of his time with Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Contents of Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey include: Abbotsford; Newstead Abbey; Arrival at the Abbey; The Abbey Garden; Plough Monday; Old Servants; Superstitions of the Abbey; Annesley Hall; The Lake; Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest; The Rook Cell; and The Little White Lady.