“The most famous reindeer of all” came into popular Christmas folklore in 1939 from the imagination of Robert L. May. His creation combined his own childhood feelings with a story for his daughter.
Not limited to the United States, Rudolph is known all over the world, thanks to his story being translated into 25 languages. Every Christmas, count on hearing his popular song and seeing his beloved Christmas special.
The Man Who Created Rudolph
Robert L. May grew up an outcast; teased about his slight size. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1926, May became a copywriter for the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward Company. He married his wife Evelyn and they had daughter Barbara.
Unfortunately, Evelyn had terminal cancer and the bills for her treatment ate up all of May’s money. Living in a two-room apartment in Chicago, May’s four-year old daughter, Barbara, asked why her mother was different from all the other children’s mothers.
When Evelyn died only a few days before Christmas in 1938, May wanted to give his daughter a gift to soothe her. He came up with a story about a reindeer that was different from all the other reindeers; an outcast with a big heart. He told the story to his daughter each night, embellishing more each time.
Rudolph’s Career at Montgomery Ward
In January of 1939, Montgomery Ward & Company decided to give out a promotional book to children the next Christmas season. They tapped May to write it, knowing his penchant for children stories.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was printed in 1939 and 2.5 million copies were handed out. World War II caused a temporary hold on printing but by 1946 over 6 million copies of the story were distributed.
Since Rudolph was the product of a work assignment, Montgomery Ward held the rights. In a generous act, Wards Chairman, Sewell Avery, gave the rights to Robert May.
Rudolph in Song
In 1949, May’s brother-in-law, recording artist Johnny Marks wrote a 113-word Christmas song about Rudolph. The song was offered to various recording artists and was turned down by Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore. Finally, a singing cowboy known as Gene Autry recorded the song.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949. It is the highest selling Christmas song, second only to “White Christmas.”
Rudolph on Television
A television special, based on the Marks’ song, was produced in 1964. The story varies from May’s original Rudolph story but the essence of an outcast saving Christmas remains.
The stop motion animated, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, narrated by Burl Ives, has aired almost every year on a major network in the United States since 1964. It is the longest-running holiday special. Countless promotional products from ornaments to figurines have popped up all over the world.
Facts about Rudolph
- Two alternate names were considered for Rudolph: Rollo (too cheerful) and Reginald (too British).
- 2009 marks the 45th anniversary of the Rudolph song and the 70th anniversary of the original story.
- In Robert L. May’s original story, Rudolph did not live at the North Pole. He lived in an ordinary reindeer village. His parents didn’t think of him as an embarrassment and Rudolph had a good self-image despite his unique nose.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has enchanted people of all ages for seventy years. Perhaps Robert L. May put it best when he said, “Everything connected with Rudolph has a touch of miracle about it, a kindly star.” Not only did Rudolph aid in the healing of Robert L. May and his daughter, but he lights up the life of children every Christmas season.
For that, as the song goes, “[he’ll] go down in history.”
Kerri Carpenter - Kerri Carpenter is a freelance writer who hails from the Pittsburgh area. She now lives in Arlington, VA. Besides writing, she enjoys ...
