who created rudolph the red nosed reindeer

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created by Robert May in 1939, while he worked as an advertising copywriter for Montgomery Ward. The story was originally published as a coloring book, which became a hit and was adapted into a Christmas song by the Gene Autry. Rudolph was later turned into a cartoon series, a Broadway musical, and even a feature film. Today, Rudolph is a beloved holiday icon, known for his red nose and his ability to guide Santa's sleigh through the snow.