I vote for Andrew Carnegie as he built so many libraries, it might be a good fit; period dress could also support this. That’s my best shot.

He is probably Washington Irving. As Pete observes, this medal was one of the Franklin Mint’s Postmasters of America medallic first day cover series. A “first day cover” is a mailing from a post office specially designated for issuance of a new postage stamp on the first day that the stamp goes on sale, using that stamp for postage. The medallic first day cover series had medals designed to go with the stamps that were mounted on the first day covers along with the stamps.

Under auspices of the Postmasters of America, the Franklin Mint began striking medals in 1971 in conjunction with the issuance of commemorative stamps by the United States Postal Service. See “FM Joins Postmasters in Honoring New U.S. Postal Service,” Franklin Mint Almanac, August 1971, page 12.

On October 10, 1974, the USPS issued an “American Folklore: Sleepy Hollow” stamp. Pete’s medal was used on the medallic first day cover for that stamp. The first day covers were mailed from the North Tarrytown, N. Y. post office. The medal was designed by sculptor James Ferrell. It was described as a “limited edition proof,” but the mintage was not so limited – 16,582, according to Chet Krause’s Guidebook of Franklin Mint Issues, 1980 edition. The medallic covers were sold by annual subscription and the issue price was $15.75. Pete’s medal, sans cover, is probably not worth much over bullion value.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was written by Washington Irving. Its main character is one Ichabod Crane.