Clement Clarke Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clement Clarke Moore
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| Born | July 15, 1779 |
| Died | July 10, 1863 (aged 83) Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
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| Education | Columbia University (BA, MA) |
| Spouse(s) |
Catharine Elizabeth Taylor
(m. 1813; |
| Parent(s) | Benjamin Moore Charity Clarke Moore |
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Clement Clarke Moore (born July 15, 1779 – died July 10, 1863) was an American writer, scholar, and real estate developer, best known as the author of the beloved Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which many people know as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." This poem is special because it was the first to name each of Santa Claus's reindeer, helping to create the Santa Claus we know today.
Moore was also a professor at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He taught about ancient languages like Greek and Hebrew, and also about religious studies. The seminary was built on land that Moore generously donated. He also became quite wealthy by developing parts of his family's large estate into what is now the Chelsea neighborhood in New York City. For many years, he served on the board of trustees for Columbia College (which later became Columbia University). He also helped with the New York Society Library and the New York Institution for the Blind.
The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" was first published without an author's name in 1823. It later became very well-known by its first line, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Moore publicly said he wrote the poem in 1837. While most people believed him during his lifetime, some scholars today discuss if another person might have written it. They look at old writings and handwriting to try and figure it out.
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Early life and family
Clement Clarke Moore was born on July 15, 1779 into a prominent family in New York City. His birthplace was "Chelsea," a large family estate that belonged to his mother's family.
His father was Benjamin Moore, who was a very important person in New York. He served as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and was also the president of Columbia College (which is now Columbia University) for many years. His mother was Charity Clarke Moore.
The "Chelsea" estate was a huge piece of land in what was then the countryside, north of the busy parts of New York City. Clement's maternal grandfather, Major Thomas Clarke, an English officer, had owned this land after fighting in the French and Indian War. The estate was named after the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, which cared for war veterans. Clement's parents inherited this estate and later gave it to him.
Education
Clement was a very smart student. He attended Columbia College, just like his father, and graduated at the top of his class in 1798. He continued his studies, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1801 and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1829.
A Man of Many Talents
Clement Clarke Moore was a man of many talents and interests. He dedicated much of his life to education and scholarship.
Professor and Scholar: In 1820, Moore helped establish a new church, St. Luke in the Fields. He later made a very generous donation: he gave 66 plots of land from his inherited Chelsea estate to the Episcopal Diocese of New York. This land became the site for the General Theological Seminary, a school where people could study to become religious leaders. Because of this donation and his impressive book, a "Hebrew and English Lexicon" (a dictionary for ancient Hebrew words) published in 1809, Moore was appointed as a professor of Biblical learning at the Seminary. He taught there until 1850.
Community Leader: Moore was also deeply involved with Columbia College, serving on its board of trustees from 1813 to 1857. He also served on the board of the New York Institution for the Blind, which helped people who couldn't see.
Early Political Writings: Before the 1804 presidential election, Moore wrote a pamphlet where he shared his political ideas. This shows he was interested in the important discussions happening in his country.
The Famous Christmas Poem
The poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," is one of the most famous verses ever written by an American. It was first published without an author's name in a newspaper in Troy, New York, on December 23, 1823. A family friend of the Moores likely gave the poem to the newspaper's editor.
At that time, it was common for poems to be published without the author's name. But as the poem became more popular, people became curious about who wrote it. In 1829, the newspaper editor hinted that the author was a scholar and writer from New York City.
In 1837, Clement Clarke Moore was publicly named as the author in a book called The New-York Book of Poetry. He had submitted other poems to this book. In 1844, he included "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in his own collection of works called Poems. His children, for whom he originally wrote the poem, encouraged him to publish it. In 1855, one of Moore's daughters, Mary C. Moore Ogden, created beautiful illustrations for the first color edition of the poem.
Building a Neighborhood: Chelsea
Clement Clarke Moore wasn't just a scholar and a poet; he was also a very successful real estate developer. His family's "Chelsea" estate was a large, open countryside area on the west side of Manhattan Island.
When New York City decided on a new street grid plan in 1811, one of the new avenues, Ninth Avenue, was planned to go right through the middle of his estate. Moore initially disagreed with some of the city's plans, believing they were unfair to landowners.
Despite his initial protests, Moore soon began to develop his inherited land. He acquired more plots from relatives and neighbors, eventually owning a large area between Eighth Avenue and the Hudson River. Working with a builder named James N. Wells, he divided the land into lots and sold them to wealthy New Yorkers. He even put rules in the sales agreements to make sure the neighborhood would be beautiful and residential, forbidding things like stables or factories.
The land he donated for the General Theological Seminary is still used by the seminary today, taking up most of a city block. He also gave land for St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The vibrant Manhattan neighborhood we know today as Chelsea is named after his family's estate, a lasting reminder of his vision.
Family Life
In 1813, Clement Moore married Catherine Elizabeth Taylor. Catherine's family had important connections; her father was a lawyer who served as chief justice of Jamaica, and her aunt was related to a prominent New York family. Clement and Catherine had nine children together:
- Margaret Elliot Moore (1815–1845)
- Charity Elizabeth Moore (1816–1830), who passed away when she was young.
- Benjamin Moore (1818–1886)
- Mary Clarke Moore (1819–1893)
- Clement Moore (1821–1889)
- Emily Moore (1822–1828), who also passed away when she was young.
- William Taylor Moore (1823-1897)
- Catharine Van Cortlandt Moore (1825–1890)
- Maria Theresa ("Terry") Barrington Moore (1826–1900)
Later years and death
In his later years, Moore enjoyed spending his summers in Newport, Rhode Island, a popular resort town. He passed away there on July 10, 1863, just five days before his 84th birthday. His body was eventually reinterred in Trinity Church Cemetery in New York City.
Lasting Legacy
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- Since 1911, the Church of the Intercession in Manhattan has held a special service before Christmas. It includes a reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and a procession to Moore's tomb at Trinity Church Cemetery. This tradition continues every year.
- Clement Clarke Moore Park, located at 10th Avenue and 22nd Street in Chelsea, is named after him.
- A playground opened in this park on November 22, 1968, and was officially named for Moore the following year. It was renovated in 1995 with new trees. Local residents gather there every year on the last Sunday of Advent to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
- PS13 in Elmhurst, Queens, a public school, is also named after Clement C. Moore.
See also
