On a snowy Winter’s day, Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863), a Columbia graduate, composed A Visit from St. Nicholas which he read to his children on Christmas Eve, 1822. For over two hundred years children and adults alike have been enchanted by this classic poem. The visions of sugar plums, stockings hung by the chimney, a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer and of course, St. Nick - with his twinkling eyes and cheeks like roses with a nose like a cherry, he was chubby and plump and looked like an elf - have captured the imagination of people all over the world.
Join us for a lively and informative presentation as Pamela McColl, historian and the author of ’Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem traces the evolution of the holiday, from which Moore’s literary work derives, from antiquity and the celebration of Saturnalia. She then discusses the two centuries of winter cultural traditions, as well as elements from religious and secular influences, in the creation of the poem. McColl uses dozens of vintage illustrations from the thousands of editions published over the years as well as archival material from the Columbia University Archives. She explores the influence of Washington Irving and the historic figure of St. Nicholas on Moore’s conception of the central figure of his holiday poem and considers how many of today’s characteristics of Santa Claus originated with Clement Moore.
Time will be allocated for Q&A.
This event is co-sponsored by ColumbiaDC. Please RSVP via ColumbiaDC's event page here: https://dc.alumni.columbia.edu/pamelamccoll