Robert L. May was an American author and advertising executive, best known for creating the beloved children's character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He wrote the original story in 1939 for a promotional booklet for Montgomery Ward, a department store. May's story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red nose, quickly gained popularity and was later adapted into a song and a television special. His work has become a cherished part of Christmas folklore, influencing how the holiday is celebrated and remembered in popular culture.