when was the song rudolph the red-nosed reindeer written

The song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was first written in 1939 by Johnny Marks. It was based on a poem written by Marks' father-in-law, Robert L. May, in 1938. The song was originally performed by Gene Autry and quickly became a Christmas classic. The song has since been recorded by countless artists and has become a beloved holiday favorite around the world.