A Visit from St. Nicholas

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The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", also known as "The Night Before Christmas" from its first line, was first published anonymously in the Troy, New York Sentinel on December 23, 1823, and was reprinted frequently thereafter with no name attached. Authorship was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore and the poem was included in an anthology of his works, but his connection with the verses has been questioned by some. Henry Livingston, a New Yorker with Dutch roots, is the chief candidate for authorship if Moore did not write it.

An American Anthology, 1787–1900, Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed., reprints the Moore version of the poem, including the German spelling of "Donder and Blitzen" he adopted, rather than the earlier Dutch version from 1823, "Dunder and Blixem". (Both phrases translate as "Thunder and Lightning" in English, though the German word for thunder is actually "Donner.")

This poem is largely responsible for the contemporary American conception of Santa Claus, including his appearance, the night he visits, his method of transportation, and that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about St. Nicholas and other Christmastide visitors varied considerably.

Contents

Authorship

Evidence to support Moore as author

  • Moore claimed the poem in 1844.
  • Moore may have had access to A History of New York by "Dietrich Knickerbocker" (Washington Irving) which covers the story of Sinterklaas.
  • Rev. David Butler who allegedly showed the poem to Sentinel editor Orville L. Holley was a relative of Moore.
    • A letter to Moore from the publisher states "I understand from Mr. Holley that he received it from Mrs. Sackett, the wife of Mr. Daniel Sackett who was then a merchant in this city."

Evidence to support Livingston as author

  • Moore "tried at first to disavow" the poem. [1]
  • Use of Anapaestic rhyme scheme and metre consistent with Livingston.
  • Use of Dutch "Dunder and Blixem" - Livingston's mother was Dutch.
  • Phraseology consistent with other Livingston poems.
  • Livingston wrote cheerful poems, Moore typically more miserable ones.
  • Moore is known to have falsified authorship on one other occasion.
  • Moore claimed that only two changes were introduced in the first printing, yet it differs from his own on 23 points.

Bibliography

External links

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