Clement Clarke Moore

Clement Clarke Moore

About Clement Clarke Moore

Clement Clarke Moore was born on July 15, 1779 in New York City. Moore received both his B.A. and M.A. from Columbia College. He went on to be the professor of Oriental and Greek Literature at General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City.

Prior to the 1804 presidential election, Moore anonymously published a pro-Federalist pamphlet. In it he attacked the religious views of Thomas Jefferson.

On December 23, 1823, he also anonymously published the poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in the Troy, New York Sentinel. It wasn't until over a decade later that Moore acknowledged authorship of this piece. This poem is better known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas", and it helped to create an image of St. Nicholas, because before this, the opinion varied.

Moore also had a park named after him in New York City. It opened on November 22, 1968, but it wasn't until a year later that it was named in his memory.

Clement Clarke Moore died on July 10, 1863 in Newport, Rhode Island.

    Poems by Clement Clarke Moore

  • 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

    Famous Poem


    in Famous Holiday Poems

    'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
    In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

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    Featured Shared Story

    I remember hearing this poem as a little youngster. I would also read this to my daughter and nephews each year right before Christmas! It is a wonderful poem to share with your family!...

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