After finishing his book, A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, in 1809, the well known and celebrated Dutch historian Deitrich Knickerbocker disappeared from his hotel. He was well-loved by his friends, though described as ‘crusty’ and perhaps a bit disheveled, as he was known for wearing his cropped pants very baggy. The proprietor of the hotel from which Knickerbocker disappeared posted a notice that if he failed to return and pay his bill, the proprietor would publish the manuscript that Knickerbocker left behind.
Another notice attempted to put to rest rumors that Mr. Knickerbocker was a fake and that his manuscript was not authentic. A letter by his close friend, Ludwick Von Bynkerfeldt calls the rumors malicious and driven by envy at the projected success of Knickerbocker’s manuscript. Eventually, public concern grew to an extent that New York city officials began offering a reward for Knickerbocker’s return. This public concern made Knickerbocker’s history, a satire both on histories and the politics of contemporary New York, an immediate success as soon as it was available to the public.
Never before wan an original, first work by a young author received so well with the American public, proclaimed the young author himself, Washington Irving. Yes, Dietrich Knickerbocker was a hoax, perpetrated to gain authorial renown, by the man who would write one of the best spooky American ghost stories. Irving’s ploy worked, though most people today do not remember Washington Irving for A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker. He is best remembered for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. But, Irving’s hoax did have a lasting impression on American culture. Baggy-ish cropped pants are called knickerbockers. Knickerbocker is a nickname for Manhattan residents, and the New York Knicks, is actually short for the basketball team’s full name, the New York Knickerbockers.
I came across this fabulous story while preparing for my guest spot discussing all things Sleepy Hollow on Hello! This is the Doomed Show. I am now sad that I did not get to know more of Washington Irving when getting my English degree. I am making plans to remedy that situation.
Referenced
- Dietrich Knickerbocker (2020). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diedrich_Knickerbocker
- History of New York (1809). New-York evening post., December 27, 1809, Page 2, Image 2. Persistent Link http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83030385/1809-12-27/ed-1/seq-2/
- Washington Irving (2020). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Irving