born July 15, 1779, New York, N.Y., U.S.
died July 10, 1863, Newport, R.I.
U.S. scholar remembered for the ballad that begins "'Twas the night before Christmas.
" Moore cofounded General Theological Seminary and taught Oriental and Greek literature there (1821–50). He is said to have composed "A Visit to St. Nicholas" to amuse his children on Christmas 1822, and it was published anonymously in the Troy (N.Y.) Sentinel , on Dec. 23, 1823. In 2000 it was determined that the poem was probably the work of Henry Livingston, Jr. (1748–1828).