New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert L. May
(1905 - 1976)
| — | New Rochelle Walk of Fame | — |
Robert L. May created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1939 as an assignment for Chicago-based Montgomery Ward. The retailer had been buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year and it was decided that creating their own book would save money. May considered naming the reindeer "Rollo" or "Reginald" before deciding on using the name "Rudolph."
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the story of a shy young reindeer who had a shiny red nose that glowed. Because he was different from the other reindeer, he was shunned until one foggy Christmas Eve Santa chose him to lead the slight. With Rudolph lighting the way, Santa delivered his presents on time and Rudolph was cheered as a hero gaining the love and respect of his fellow reindeer. The story was inspired by May's own experience of being bullied as a child.
In 1948 May persuaded his brother-in-law, Johnny Marks to write the words and the music for a musical adaptation of Rudolph. It was recorded in 1949 by the singing cowboy Gene Autry. Achieving phenomenal success, the song became the second-most popular Christmas tune of all time, surpassed only
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Rudolph soon became part of the American culture as well. At the end of 1950, the Chicago Tribune wrote: "There is no question but that Rudolph has become a legend — the first new and accepted Christmas legend since Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Clement Moore's A Visit from St. Nicholas.
Robert Lewis May was born in Queens, New York on July 27, 1905. The family moved to New Rochelle when May was still a child. He attended Mayflower Elementary School and later, in 1922, graduated from New Rochelle High School. While in New Rochelle the family lived in various homes, on Webster Terrace, Horton Avenue and Slocum Street.
Erected by City of New Rochelle, NY; New Rochelle Downtown Business District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 27, 1905.
Location. 40° 54.6′ N, 73° 46.962′ W. Marker is in New Rochelle, New York, in Westchester County. It is on Huguenot Street south of Lawton Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is
Regionally, this marker is in the Hudson Valley and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: New Rochelle in the NFL (a few steps from this marker); Fritz Pollard (a few steps from this marker); Mariano Rivera (a few steps from this marker); Claire Trevor (within shouting distance of this marker); Reginald Marsh (within shouting distance of this marker); Lillian & Dorothy Gish (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Heimlich (within shouting distance of this marker); Jay Leno (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Rochelle.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
