History and Place in the Nineteenth Century: Irving and Hawthorne in Westminster Abbey

Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne used Westminster Abbey as a literary lens to explore the evolving identity of American authors on the global stage during the 19th century. Their contrasting perspectives—Irving’s view of history as subservient to the present, likely influenced by post-War of 1812 America, and Hawthorne’s depiction of an immortal past, reflecting pre-Civil War tensions—highlighted the Abbey's role as a site for literary development, critique, and self-definition. Both authors saw Old England as foundational to New England, underscoring how historical places shape cultural narratives. This analysis reveals Westminster Abbey not just as a monument but as an interactive space for intellectual engagement with heritage.

Petersheim, S. (2012). History and Place in the Nineteenth Century: Irving and Hawthorne in Westminster Abbey. College Literature, 39(4), 118–137. https://doi.org/10.1353/lit.2012.0045