Washington Irving and Spain: The Romantic Movement, the Re/creation of Islamic Andalusia and the Critical Reception

This research monograph breaks new ground in discussing (in English) the impact of Washington Irving’s presence in Spain and the effect of his writings on Spanish topics by Spain’s critics and general readership. Spanish critics, scholars and translators were and are active in assessing Irving’s literary style, scholarly grasp and cultural influence. This work seeks to examine Irving’s influence and his ‘discovery’ of Islamic Al-Andalus (Irving was the first American to seriously study
Mahomet (Muhammad) , the Koran and write about his findings). Wallhead locates Irving’s literary and historical researches in the troubled, chaotic post-Napoleonic Spain of Ferdinand V11 and discusses the earliest Iberian reaction to Irving’s books. Professor Wallhead’s study includes four parts: the legacy of Irving in today’s Spain - the bibliography, the cultural extension, the ‘Washington Irving’ industry, tourist and travel literature; influences and sources - early-mid 19c Spain…Andalusia, Seville and the roots of the southern ‘romance’; his Spanish writings; fiction ( Tales of the Alhambra ), documentary and biographical studies -
The Conquest of Granada ,
Mahomet , and
Christopher Columbus ; and, conclusions.