Henry Livingston Jr. was an American poet born on July 28, 1748, in Poughkeepsie, New York. He is best known for his poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which was published anonymously in 1823. This poem is often credited with shaping the modern image of Santa Claus and popularizing many Christmas traditions. Livingston was a member of a prominent family and had a varied career, including work as a farmer and a soldier during the American Revolutionary War. Despite his contributions to American literature, he remained relatively unknown during his lifetime, and his authorship of the famous poem was debated for many years.