1817 and 1900. Washington Irving was the first American literary artist to earn his living solely through his writings and is considered to be the Father of the American Short Story. 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... (more)