IRVING, WILLIAM (1766-1821), American writer and merchant, was born on Aug. 15, 1766, the eldest brother of Wash ington Irving, in whose literary career he evinced a life-time of in terest. His success as a business man in New York city enabled him to send his younger brother abroad from 1804 to 1806. With his brother and James K. Paulding he published in 1807 and 1808
a series of periodicals entitled Salmagundi, or the and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff and Others, to which he con tributed satirical light verse. Later he became a prominent ex porter and importer, and served in Congress from 1814 to 1819. He died on Nov. 9, 1821.