"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a short story by Washington Irving. It was first published in 1820 in Irving's short story collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. which also includes "Rip Van Winkle". "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is the longest story in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon Gent. It is based on a German folk tale, although the action is moved to New York state at the end of the 18th century. Along with "Rip Van Winkle", it is one of the few works of early American literature that is still widely read for pleasure today.