who invented rudolph

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented by Robert May in 1939. May was working as an advertising copywriter for the Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago, and he created the character to help promote the store's holiday merchandise. May's story was published in a booklet that year, and it quickly became a holiday classic. The character was later adapted into a popular song by Johnny Marks, and Rudolph has since become one of the most beloved Christmas figures in history.