American literature developed a distinct voice in the early 19th century as writers like Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Harriet Beecher Stowe began establishing a national literary tradition focused on uniquely American settings and subjects rather than European influences. This period, known as the American Renaissance, saw literature break away from European traditions and create works rooted in the nature and culture of the new nation.

1. American Literature A literary introduction Raffaele Nardella Washington Irving http://www.brianjayjones.com/images/portraits/irvingBrady.jpg