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AudioEBooks presents, The Radio Reading Room Christmas Classic, Account of A Visit from St. Nicholas Read By Myron Hieronymous Thomas |
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Until recently it was believed that this ballad was written in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moore as a gift to his two daughters, Margaret and Charity, and later anonymously published in the Troy [New York] Sentinel on December 23, 1823. But, according to University of Toronto English Library, in 2000, Vasser Professor of English Literature, Don Foster, in his book Author Unknown: On the Trail of Anonymous (New York: Henry Holt, 2000) was able to demonstrate that Moore could not have been the author. Foster concluded that it was written by Major Henry Livingston Jr.
Fosters work was greatly enhanced by the research of Mary S. Van Deusen who is a 5th great-granddaughter, of Major Henry Livingston, who spent three years researching and documenting the facts in this matter.
Additional information was provided by Stephen Livingston Thomas, a great great grandchild of Livingston. Stephen grew up with a portrait of Henry in his home and the stories regarding his great grandfathers authorship of this classic poem embedded in his mind.
In this program you will hear examples of the work of both Livingston and Moore. You can decide what you think regarding the authorship.
For more details visit: A Mouse In Henry Livingston’s House |
