What Is the Story of the Headless Horseman?

He is . . .
A headless ghost and his horse who haunt the town of Sleepy Hollow, New York
A soldier who fought during the American Revolution
One of the most frightening and recognizable literary charters, created by Washington Irving in 1819

Who HQ brings you the stories behind the most well-known characters of our time.

Discover the haunting story of the Headless Horseman, his chilling adventures in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and his historical backstory in this addition to the What Is the Story Of? series.

Washington Irving published The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in 1820, introducing the eerie Headless Horseman character to readers worldwide. Readers were both scared and intrigued by the horrific character, who is the ghost of a soldier who had been decapitated during the American Revolution. Now, the character is an American classic, featured in movies, television shows, cartoons, comic books, and even video games, thanks to his chilling story of a lone horseman seeking revenge. Perfect for Halloween, but an enduring year-round favorite, the Headless Horseman rides forward in this exciting new nonfiction title.