Daguerreotype copy by Mathew Brady, original by John Plumbe
Washington Irving (1783-1859) was America's first truly internationally successful writers, with his 1819-1820 collection of short stories The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. achieving great success both in the States and in Europe. Though only a couple of his stories are especially well-known now, he published successfully throughout his life, writing short stories, essays, histories, and massive biographies. He also served as the US ambassador to Spain from 1842-1846, apparently. Huh.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow":
In which an itinerant schoolmaster courts a lovely young lady and draws the ire of another of her suitors, and possibly that of the local demonic decapitated equestrian as well.
Edgar Allan Poe, one of the original masters of mystery and the macabre, is best known for his poems and short stories which frequently deal with madness, murder, and revenge. He was one of the first well-known Americans to attempt to earn a living purely through writing, which might not have worked out so well for him in life. He's also generally credited with inventing the detective story, and helping to popularize the new genre of science fiction.
"The Black Cat":
In which alcohol drives a man to murder, but is haunted and revealed by the titular cat.
