Washington Irving (1783 - 1859) was an American short story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. "Astoria" is a history book which was commissioned by John Jacob Astor as an official history of his company's expedition to Oregon in 1810-1812. Although Washington Irving never traveled to Oregon Country, he wrote one of the most widely read and influential narratives of the region. This book introduced more readers to the Pacific Northwest than any single book up to that time.