who is washington irving?

who the hell is washington irving? that he should be quoted?

...as saying: There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
- -- Washington Irving

i would say that in every Man, male gender there is a spark if divinity, does not the scriptures say We are Gods? psalms86:2-6