|
|
Clement Clarke Moore
b. New York City, NY, July 15,
1779
d. Newport, RI, July 10, 1863
|
After retiring from teaching, the author of The Night Before Christmas
arrived in Newport in the 1850s. Moore purchases home and becomes
a summer resident.
One of 26 men and women who donate monies for the purchase of land to be
known as Touro Park (1865).
Died at Newport home. The house, #25 Catherine Street, still stands
at the southwest corner of Catherine and Greenough Place. Broken
into apartments, the house dates c. 1856 and after.
The house is known by the names: Cedars, Clement C. Moore House,
and The Night Before Christmas House, often incorrectly claimed as site
of the composition of Moore’s famous poem. No truth to the matter
- as Moore had not yet begun his Newport days and house was not built when
the poem was supposedly written by him in 1822.
Author, educator, poet and noted Hebrew scholar. Attended Columbia
College, Valedictorian received B.A. (1798).
Father, Benjamin Moore, was the third president of Columbia College and
second Protestant Episcopal Bishop of New York - wanted son to become a
priest.
Devoted to the study of Hebrew, Moore produced A Compendious Lexicon
of the Hebrew Language: In Two Volumes which appeared in 1809.
Married Catharine Elizabeth Taylor on November 20, 1813. Upon father’s
death (1816) inherited large amount of New York property originally owned
by Moore’s grandfather Maj. Thomas Clarke - estate known as Chelsea.
Moore’s donation of 60 lots of land in 1819, together with a New York layman’s
gift two years later, made possible the establishment and erection of the
General Theological Seminary.
Became professor of Biblical learning and interpretation of Scripture at
the diocesan seminary at New York in 1821. In 1823 became a professor
in the General Theological Seminary, into which the diocesan seminary was
merged. He was professor of Oriental and Greek literature until his
resignation in 1850.
Moore wanted to be known for his writing contributions - mainly his Hebrew
work. However, he is associated forever with his poem - A Visit
from St. Nicholas, The Night Before Christmas.
Various stories have been told concerning the origin. Supposedly
Moore wrote the verse as a present for his six children in 1822.
Somehow a friend, or friend of a friend - transcribed, sent the verse to
the Troy (NY) Sentinel. It appeared in the December 23, 1823
issue. Appearing many times thereafter in various publications, Moore
did not include it in one of his published works until 20 years later (Poems
1844).
Bibliography
© 1997-2004 Redwood Library
This material may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.
|
